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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n believer_n divine_a great_a 25 3 2.0923 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A11070 The diseases of the time, attended by their remedies. By Francis Rous Rous, Francis, 1579-1659. 1622 (1622) STC 21340; ESTC S107870 133,685 552

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but_o madness_n and_o not_o against_o that_o fellowship_n which_o be_v true_o good_a but_o against_o that_o which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o good_a be_v full_a of_o all_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n there_o be_v a_o honest_a and_o clean_a mirth_n which_o oil_n to_o the_o bone_n as_o the_o wiseman_n say_v and_o this_o if_o the_o world_n can_v find_v the_o salt_n of_o the_o world_n will_v not_o correct_v and_o chasten_v and_o indeed_o this_o alone_a deserve_v the_o name_n of_o mirth_n for_o the_o sport_n of_o sin_n be_v a_o laughter_n at_o thing_n lamentable_a and_o a_o joy_n in_o stead_n of_o sorrow_n and_o be_v so_o unseparable_a from_o sorrow_n that_o if_o it_o have_v not_o the_o sorrow_n of_o temporal_a repentance_n it_o shall_v have_v a_o far_o great_a sorrow_n of_o endless_a penance_n true_a it_o be_v that_o god_n at_o first_o give_v his_o creature_n to_o man_n to_o be_v enjoy_v and_o now_o especial_o to_o christian_n be_v that_o right_a renew_a so_o that_o christianity_n be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v they_o from_o we_o that_o it_o only_o give_v they_o true_o to_o us._n again_o god_n delight_v not_o in_o the_o sourness_n of_o face_n in_o hang_v down_o the_o head_n like_o a_o bulrush_n in_o torment_v the_o body_n which_o though_o with_o some_o they_o may_v be_v esteem_v as_o good_a outside_n of_o religion_n and_o as_o paul_n term_v they_o show_v of_o godliness_n yet_o of_o themselves_o they_o be_v of_o no_o value_n with_o god_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o we_o lovely_a to_o god_n but_o righteousness_n and_o that_o which_o advance_v it_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o odious_a to_o god_n but_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o serve_v it_o if_o therefore_o the_o creature_n of_o god_n be_v use_v towards_o the_o advancement_n and_o encouragement_n of_o god_n service_n in_o we_o we_o please_v he_o in_o their_o use_n yea_o we_o offend_v he_o in_o their_o neglect_n and_o the_o speech_n of_o jonathan_n concern_v saul_n forbid_v of_o meat_n will_v god_n himself_o use_v against_o we_o these_o man_n have_v trouble_v the_o land_n for_o if_o they_o have_v eat_v they_o have_v do_v great_a service_n against_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n and_o for_o joy_n itself_o we_o may_v see_v that_o god_n hate_v it_o not_o for_o he_o himself_o in_o the_o old_a law_n appoint_v many_o feast_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a precept_n of_o rejoice_v and_o in_o the_o new_a law_n paul_n tell_v timothy_n that_o god_n give_v we_o all_o thing_n abundant_o to_o enjoy_v and_o in_o the_o act_n he_o testify_v that_o god_n fill_v we_o with_o food_n and_o gladness_n but_o our_o mirth_n must_v be_v wise_a and_o reasonable_a as_o become_v those_o that_o be_v man_n and_o not_o ape_n even_o creature_n stamp_v with_o the_o image_n and_o character_n of_o god_n and_o too_o true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o mirth_n of_o man_n as_o the_o wrath_n of_o man_n seldom_o keep_v such_o a_o measure_n that_o it_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o god_n yet_o this_o call_v for_o watchfulness_n and_o measure_n unto_o mirth_n but_o set_v not_o unlawfulnesse_n on_o it_o if_o it_o be_v measure_v and_o decent_a i_o deny_v not_o but_o sadness_n be_v sometime_o necessary_a in_o religion_n but_o not_o as_o it_o be_v sadness_n but_o as_o sadness_n be_v a_o rod_n unto_o vice_n and_o as_o by_o humble_v the_o flesh_n it_o advance_v the_o spirit_n sadness_n have_v no_o worth_n by_o itself_o neither_o be_v it_o in_o religion_n the_o end_n of_o itself_o but_o even_o sadness_n itself_o tend_v to_o joy._n religious_a man_n by_o sadness_n walk_v unto_o comfort_n and_o indeed_o comfort_n be_v a_o assure_a fruit_n of_o spiritual_a sadness_n sorrow_n for_o sin_n end_v in_o the_o joy_n of_o forgiveness_n and_o sadness_n of_o meditation_n end_v in_o the_o joy_n of_o divine_a contemplation_n so_o be_v we_o make_v merry_a by_o sadness_n and_o the_o weed_n of_o sorrow_n change_v itself_o upon_o we_o into_o the_o garment_n of_o gladness_n and_o this_o high_a privilege_n of_o joy_n have_v a_o christian_a above_o a_o carnal_a man_n that_o whereas_o the_o man_n of_o earth_n be_v sad_a be_v only_o sad_a and_o sad_a unto_o sadness_n the_o christian_a be_v sad_a be_v sad_a unto_o joy_n how_o must_v not_o then_o a_o christian_a be_v a_o most_o joyful_a creature_n who_o very_a sadness_n end_v in_o joy_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o procure_v and_o make_v joy_n fleshly_a mirth_n end_v in_o sadness_n and_o spiritual_a sadness_n end_v in_o mirth_n and_o so_o if_o that_o be_v well_o that_o end_v well_o the_o sadness_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v better_a than_o the_o mirth_n of_o a_o heathen_a there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o objection_n that_o religion_n be_v attend_v with_o opposition_n and_o persecution_n and_o these_o be_v terrible_a thing_n to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o this_o be_v so_o yet_o be_v religion_n a_o joyful_a thing_n for_o these_o be_v not_o in_o religion_n but_o after_o religion_n and_o indeed_o they_o be_v quality_n of_o irreligion_n religion_n itself_o be_v busy_v about_o excellent_a thing_n as_o union_n with_o god_n conformity_n to_o god_n fruition_n of_o god_n and_o persecution_n and_o opposition_n come_v from_o irreligion_n atheism_n and_o malice_n religion_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o more_o excellent_a because_o it_o have_v such_o enemy_n as_o wicked_a man_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n as_o one_o commend_v christianity_n because_o nero_n persecute_v it_o if_o great_a army_n come_v to_o conquer_v a_o land_n it_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v a_o land_n of_o pleasure_n and_o fertility_n for_o barrenness_n and_o worthlesnesse_n seldom_o call_v for_o conqueror_n envy_n the_o devil_n torment_n and_o pleasure_n see_v some_o invaluable_a joy_n which_o he_o will_v take_v from_o we_o by_o outward_a vexation_n but_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o joy_n who_o fullness_n be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o man_n heart_n so_o the_o fasten_n of_o it_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o devil_n hand_n for_o nothing_o can_v reach_v high_a enough_o to_o take_v it_o from_o us._n yea_o when_o he_o reach_v to_o it_o by_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o body_n he_o increase_v the_o joy_n of_o our_o soul_n for_o as_o tribulation_n abound_v so_o do_v consolation_n abound_v also_o so_o in_o this_o point_n be_v a_o christian_a also_o a_o most_o joyful_a creature_n who_o affliction_n breed_v consolation_n and_o who_o enemy_n be_v instrument_n of_o comfort_v they_o even_o by_o afflict_v they_o so_o in_o all_o thing_n be_v we_o more_o than_o conqueror_n joy_n be_v our_o part_n which_o nothing_o may_v take_v from_o we_o but_o all_o change_n by_o a_o unchangeable_a law_n do_v work_v our_o joy._n therefore_o do_v the_o christian_a enjoy_v tribulation_n and_o take_v they_o for_o advancement_n yea_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n rejoice_v in_o their_o suffering_n for_o christ_n sake_n as_o testimony_n of_o worth_n and_o estimation_n with_o their_o lord_n so_o a_o soldier_n take_v pleasure_n in_o that_o which_o to_o a_o ordinary_a man_n be_v a_o terror_n yea_o he_o enjoy_v his_o scar_n and_o wound_n as_o mark_n of_o valour_n and_o step_n unto_o honour_n and_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o future_a advancement_n do_v cheer_v up_o the_o heavenly_a soldier_n so_o do_v the_o present_a joy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o consolation_n as_o the_o body_n be_v prick_v or_o scourge_v without_o the_o heart_n be_v bathe_v within_o in_o the_o celestial_a oil_n of_o joy_n and_o gladness_n the_o comfort_n within_o rise_v according_a to_o the_o suffering_n without_o yea_o with_o they_o by_o they_o and_o above_o they_o god_n the_o creator_n be_v within_o comfort_v and_o they_o be_v but_o creature_n that_o be_v without_o afflict_v and_o how_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v full_a of_o courage_n of_o comfort_n since_o he_o that_o be_v in_o we_o and_o with_o we_o be_v so_o infinite_o great_a than_o he_o and_o all_o they_o that_o be_v without_o we_o and_o against_o we_o but_o as_o the_o carnal_a man_n have_v have_v leave_n for_o his_o objection_n against_o 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need_n of_o humane_a enforcement_n again_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v one_o general_a teacher_n by_o a_o divine_a light_n illuminate_v the_o church_n and_o it_o give_v great_a comfort_n to_o the_o member_n of_o it_o that_o in_o some_o matter_n of_o religion_n one_o man_n be_v many_o hundred_o mile_n distant_a or_o bear_v many_o hundred_o year_n after_o another_o receive_v some_o bright_a evident_a and_o glorious_a truth_n which_o he_o see_v plain_o to_o be_v true_a and_o heavenly_a but_o receive_v it_o not_o of_o man_n by_o hear_v or_o read_v but_o of_o god_n alone_o by_o meditation_n and_o yet_o he_o shall_v meet_v with_o another_o man_n so_o far_o from_o he_o or_o with_o some_o work_n of_o one_o so_o far_o afore_o he_o which_o will_v tell_v the_o same_o truth_n as_o be_v by_o that_o one_o teacher_n also_o reveal_v unto_o they_o again_o there_o be_v among_o the_o martyr_n and_o father_n man_n of_o as_o great_a and_o sound_a understanding_n as_o any_o of_o these_o wizard_n be_v yea_o they_o have_v at_o first_o as_o much_o contemn_a and_o reject_v christ_n by_o their_o natural_a knowledge_n yet_o at_o length_n they_o have_v change_v their_o mind_n and_o have_v seek_v he_o as_o ardent_o as_o before_o they_o contemn_v he_o despiteful_o now_o you_o can_v imagine_v that_o they_o will_v have_v forsake_v the_o light_n of_o their_o natural_a reason_n but_o that_o they_o see_v a_o more_o glorious_a light_n neither_o will_v they_o have_v spare_v their_o candle_n but_o upon_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o sure_o these_o seer_n do_v as_o much_o wonder_n at_o the_o natural_a man_n not_o see_v as_o the_o not-seer_n at_o the_o see_v but_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v their_o eye_n that_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v not_o shine_v unto_o they_o and_o this_o blindness_n can_v be_v take_v away_o by_o argument_n and_o be_v take_v away_o argument_n be_v needless_a and_o this_o must_v be_v think_v the_o true_a 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to_o be_v answer_v a_o second_o objection_n which_o be_v a_o imputation_n of_o captivity_n undergo_v by_o our_o understanding_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o in_o true_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o a_o brutish_a captivity_n by_o which_o the_o understanding_n yield_v up_o her_o eye_n to_o be_v put_v out_o &_o herself_o to_o be_v blindfold_a but_o the_o understanding_n receive_v a_o better_a sight_n yield_v up_o the_o worse_a and_o so_o do_v not_o loose_v her_o light_n but_o change_v it_o for_o a_o better_a yea_o it_o change_v captivity_n for_o freedom_n for_o even_o that_o blindness_n that_o captivate_v be_v be_v lead_v into_o captivity_n but_o the_o understanding_n be_v more_o free_a than_o before_o as_o a_o eye_n that_o be_v free_v from_o blindness_n for_o the_o son_n by_o his_o spirit_n have_v free_v we_o from_o that_o natural_a darkness_n wherein_o we_o be_v bear_v 2._o cor._n 3_o 16_o 17._o but_o they_o will_v reinforce_v this_o objection_n from_o 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therefore_o christ_n tell_v thing_n hide_v and_o unsearchable_a to_o the_o very_a wise_a of_o the_o world_n and_o enjoin_v virtue_n excel_v the_o ambitious_a holiness_n of_o the_o very_a scribe_n and_o pharise_n yea_o he_o wyte_v his_o hearer_n that_o content_v themselves_o with_o ordinary_a virtue_n say_v what_o great_a or_o excellent_a thing_n do_v you_o yet_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o to_o sundry_a of_o the_o mean_a one_o god_n impart_v the_o light_n and_o grace_n of_o christianity_n but_o not_o because_o meanness_n be_v fit_a to_o apprehend_v it_o but_o because_o by_o meanness_n god_n best_a express_v his_o own_o excellence_n and_o show_v his_o power_n chief_o in_o infirmity_n and_o his_o light_n in_o darkness_n therefore_o for_o his_o own_o glory_n he_o choose_v they_o and_o not_o for_o their_o ability_n towards_o religion_n but_o rather_o for_o their_o notabilitie_n in_o some_o respect_n for_o whereas_o by_o their_o natural_a unablenes_n they_o be_v altogether_o uncapable_a of_o 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in_o spiritual_a that_o be_v in_o the_o best_a wisdom_n i_o will_v speak_v of_o our_o time_n that_o in_o they_o i_o have_v see_v man_n admirable_a in_o simplicity_n for_o worldly_a thing_n but_o miraculous_a in_o divine_a knowledge_n so_o that_o their_o speech_n in_o the_o one_o kind_n have_v be_v contemptible_a and_o in_o the_o other_o have_v sound_v like_o oracle_n so_o that_o a_o great_a knowledge_n be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a simplicity_n it_o may_v not_o be_v think_v that_o simplicity_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o knowledge_n but_o we_o must_v look_v a_o high_a cause_n even_o that_o the_o creator_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o new_a creation_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o wisdom_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o these_o drop_n of_o new_a and_o supernatural_a wisdom_n pour_v into_o natural_a simplicity_n and_o this_o hit_v right_a with_o christ_n speech_n unto_o peter_n flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o to_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n in_o heaven_n and_o that_o divinity_n be_v 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this_o path_n of_o virtue_n it_o lead_v we_o to_o felicity_n and_o when_o he_o have_v magnify_v his_o philosophy_n to_o the_o high_a divinity_n challenge_v all_o the_o goodness_n it_o have_v as_o her_o servant_n and_o add_v more_o unto_o it_o now_o for_o the_o other_o two_o epithet_n wherewith_o he_o deck_v philosophy_n and_o whereof_o he_o rob_v divinity_n pleasantness_n and_o power_n i_o have_v fit_v several_a discourse_n for_o they_o yet_o withal_o respect_v other_o fault_n but_o the_o reader_n may_v set_v such_o piece_n of_o they_o together_o as_o be_v inlayd_a in_o his_o memory_n joint_o with_o this_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o entire_a confutation_n of_o these_o error_n and_o that_o his_o memory_n may_v not_o travail_v far_o for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o i_o here_o immediate_o adjoine_v they_o chap._n iii_o a_o heal_n of_o their_o grief_n that_o be_v affright_v at_o christianity_n and_o run_v away_o from_o it_o as_o from_o some_o terrible_a and_o ugly_a thing_n there_o be_v some_o 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of_o the_o dead_a cry_n aloud_o to_o confirm_v it_o read_v david_n rejoice_v in_o his_o psalm_n and_o you_o will_v think_v he_o a_o man_n ravish_v so_o do_v every_o word_n swell_v with_o joy_n praise_n and_o exultation_n see_v he_o dance_v before_o the_o ark_n and_o if_o you_o be_v no_o wise_a than_o a_o very_a woman_n you_o will_v think_v he_o out_o of_o his_o wit_n but_o if_o you_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o a_o good_a woman_n you_o will_v say_v his_o soul_n do_v magnify_v the_o lord_n and_o his_o spirit_n rejoice_v in_o god_n his_o saviour_n again_o read_v the_o song_n of_o david_n describe_v the_o ecstasy_n of_o love_n and_o delight_n wherein_o the_o church_n almost_o lose_v herself_o as_o unable_a to_o contain_v they_o and_o you_o can_v but_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o joy_n enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o can_v get_v itself_o whole_o into_o it_o by_o comprehension_n nor_o get_v out_o of_o it_o by_o expression_n all_o the_o instrument_n of_o music_n all_o the_o creature_n both_o sensible_a and_o insensible_a be_v summon_v together_o to_o help_v forth_o the_o utterance_n of_o a_o unutterable_a joy_n and_o how_o can_v you_o blame_v he_o for_o his_o soul_n be_v in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n where_o to_o be_v a_o doorkeeper_n for_o one_o day_n be_v better_a than_o to_o be_v a_o thousand_o year_n in_o the_o court_n of_o prince_n and_o yet_o most_o man_n think_v that_o courtier_n have_v great_a joy_n of_o their_o place_n again_o god_n word_n be_v sweet_a to_o he_o then_o the_o honey_n and_o you_o know_v sweetness_n be_v the_o god_n of_o the_o epicure_n yea_o it_o be_v more_o precious_a than_o fine_a gold_n and_o gold_n be_v the_o god_n of_o the_o worldling_n thus_o a_o christian_n joy_n surmount_v the_o joy_n of_o the_o naturalist_n even_o honour_n pleasure_n and_o profit_n but_o if_o this_o be_v true_a you_o will_v say_v how_o come_v it_o that_o so_o few_o seek_v heavenly_a and_o almost_o all_o seek_v earthly_a joy_n and_o perchance_o thou_o which_o read_v it_o art_n also_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n hereunto_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o fault_n be_v in_o the_o taste_n not_o in_o the_o meat_n in_o the_o folly_n of_o the_o judgement_n not_o in_o the_o pearl_n when_o a_o grain_n of_o corn_n be_v prefer_v before_o it_o to_o taste_v spiritual_a joy_n a_o man_n must_v be_v spiritual_a for_o the_o spirit_n relish_v only_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o like_a love_v his_o like_a between_o a_o spiritual_a man_n and_o spiritual_a joy_n there_o be_v as_o mighty_a a_o appetite_n and_o enjoy_n as_o between_o fleshly_a meat_n and_o a_o carnal_a stomach_n therefore_o the_o want_n of_o this_o taste_n and_o apprehension_n condemn_v the_o world_n to_o be_v carnal_a but_o magnify_v the_o joy_n spiritual_a as_o be_v above_o a_o gross_a and_o carnal_a apprehension_n sure_o the_o face_n of_o this_o world_n at_o the_o first_o view_n show_v we_o a_o plain_a evidence_n of_o its_o unacquaintance_n with_o these_o joy_n it_o be_v so_o 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world_n of_o action_n into_o the_o company_n of_o persecute_v jew_n seduce_a and_o hypocritical_a pharisy_n yea_o into_o the_o winnow_n of_o satan_n himself_o and_o indeed_o general_o the_o apostle_n life_n be_v life_n of_o action_n and_o life_n of_o passion_n and_o if_o these_o apostle_n be_v the_o foundation_n and_o christ_n the_o corner_n stone_n then_o be_v active_a man_n the_o chief_a in_o heaven_n as_o be_v next_o unto_o christ_n and_o no_o contemplative_a man_n may_v ever_o sit_v above_o they_o for_o the_o foundation_n will_v still_o be_v near_o to_o the_o corner_n stone_n and_o nothing_o may_v go_v between_o they_o contemplation_n indeed_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o in_o she_o own_o turn_n and_o time_n more_o necessary_a than_o action_n as_o mary_n hear_v in_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n preach_v be_v more_o necessary_a than_o marthaes_n serve_v but_o the_o same_o mary_fw-mi action_n of_o anoint_v christ_n in_o a_o due_a season_n be_v as_o famous_a as_o her_o hear_n of_o 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not_o who_o have_v continual_o carry_v i_o in_o your_o thought_n and_o behold_v i_o with_o your_o contemplation_n but_o you_o who_o have_v spiritual_o and_o corporal_o feed_v i_o clothe_v i_o visit_v i_o in_o my_o member_n therefore_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n that_o we_o take_v not_o heaven_n too_o soon_o neither_o spend_v so_o much_o ou●_n time_n in_o enjoy_v the_o earnest_n that_o we_o abate_v the_o inheritance_n assure_v we_o by_o that_o earnest_n and_o indeed_o which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n god_n deal_v so_o with_o we_o in_o this_o life_n that_o contemplation_n can_v be_v a_o whole_a employment_n to_o man._n therefore_o as_o before_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v unlawful_a now_o it_o also_o appear_v to_o be_v impossible_a for_o well_o do_v every_o saint_n of_o god_n know_v that_o the_o glory_n and_o comfort_n of_o contemplation_n last_v but_o some_o turn_n and_o then_o come_v a_o ebb_n of_o grace_n a_o night_n of_o vision_n and_o perchance_o a_o long_a storm_n of_o satan_n 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rule_n that_o contemplation_n nourish_v and_o feed_v action_n but_o not_o devour_v it_o that_o we_o contemplate_v to_o know_v god_n and_o to_o love_n god_n that_o we_o know_v and_o love_v he_o to_o please_v he_o and_o serve_v he_o in_o the_o action_n of_o some_o profitable_a vocation_n we_o may_v not_o quench_v contemplation_n for_o it_o warm_v the_o soul_n cheer_v and_o heat_v she_o to_o action_n again_o we_o must_v not_o exclude_v action_n for_o that_o be_v to_o water_v the_o root_n and_o to_o pull_v away_o the_o bud_n and_o so_o to_o prevent_v the_o fruit_n the_o excellency_n of_o contemplation_n and_o action_n be_v the_o concord_n of_o they_o therefore_o let_v we_o be_v contemplative_a that_o we_o may_v be_v active_a and_o in_o our_o activeness_n strive_v very_o to_o express_v our_o contemplation_n for_o contemplation_n be_v then_o most_o commendable_a when_o it_o be_v express_v in_o deed_n and_o not_o when_o it_o be_v mere_o bear_v and_o bury_v in_o thought_n and_o it_o shall_v 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plain_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v that_o be_v by_o faith_n we_o see_v spiritual_o thing_n unseen_a carnal_o now_o i_o hope_v where_o be_v sight_n and_o evidence_n there_o be_v not_o blindness_n and_o darkness_n again_o when_o peter_n confess_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o christ_n christ_n tell_v he_o that_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o to_o he_o but_o his_o father_n in_o heaven_n and_o i_o trow_v have_v not_o peter_n reason_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n in_o heaven_n have_v reveal_v he_o and_o have_v the_o artist_n any_o such_o evidence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o arts._n again_o joh._n 17._o this_o be_v life_n eternal_a to_o know_v thou_o to_o be_v very_a god_n and_o he_o who_o thou_o have_v send_v christ_n jesus_n so_o christ_n must_v be_v know_v before_o he_o become_v our_o life_n eternal_a and_o joh._n 10._o i_o know_v my_o sheep_n and_o i_o be_o know_v of_o i_o and_o 1._o cor._n 2.10_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o our_o knowledge_n be_v show_v god_n have_v reveal_v to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n the_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v prepare_v for_o us._n and_o ver_fw-la 12._o we_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o which_o we_o know_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v free_o give_v we_o of_o god_n and_o vers._n 15._o a_o man_n make_v spiritual_a discern_v all_o thing_n and_o himself_o be_v judge_v of_o no_o man_n that_o be_v not_o spiritual_a for_o how_o can_v a_o blind_a man_n judge_v the_o sight_n of_o a_o seer_n and_o therefore_o even_o in_o this_o point_n which_o i_o now_o defend_v we_o may_v well_o scorn_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o blind_a natural_a man_n that_o know_v not_o our_o fight_n and_o therefore_o know_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o gainsay_v but_o even_o for_o that_o cause_n deny_v they_o to_o be_v furthermore_o paul_n eph._n 1._o speak_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o revelation_n by_o which_o the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n may_v be_v enlighten_v to_o know_v the_o riches_n of_o our_o call_n and_o the_o great_a power_n of_o god_n in_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ._n and_o to_o conclude_v exclude_v many_o more_o with_o a_o evident_a testimony_n let_v we_o consider_v that_o of_o the_o second_o to_o the_o cor._n 3.18_o we_o all_o with_o open_a face_n behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v change_v unto_o the_o same_o image_n from_o glory_n to_o glory_v as_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v present_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n with_o these_o word_n that_o god_n who_o command_v light_a to_o shine_v out_o of_o darkness_n have_v shine_v in_o our_o heart_n to_o give_v the_o light_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o face_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o indeed_o be_v but_o a_o comentarie_a of_o christ_n short_a word_n joh._n 14.21_o he_o that_o love_v i_o i_o will_v show_v myself_o visible_o unto_o he_o now_o if_o god_n have_v so_o shine_v visible_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o by_o the_o beam_n of_o his_o light_n we_o have_v a_o knowledge_n of_o his_o glorious_a work_n of_o our_o redemption_n in_o christ_n jesus_n yea_o if_o christ_n have_v show_v himself_o plain_o to_o we_o who_o can_v hinder_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o we_o know_v even_o to_o believe_v in_o a_o all-sufficient_a saviour_n reveal_v to_o we_o by_o the_o transcendent_a light_n of_o a_o omnipotent_a creator_n therefore_o will_v we_o triumph_v in_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o our_o belief_n we_o will_v bold_o tell_v the_o natural_a man_n quod_fw-la vidimus_fw-la testamur_fw-la and_o we_o worship_v that_o which_o we_o know_v we_o will_v answer_v with_o peter_n joh._n 8._o we_o believe_v and_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o let_v the_o heart_n of_o every_o true_a christian_a speak_v what_o it_o see_v and_o it_o can_v but_o affirm_v that_o it_o see_v a_o admirable_a wisdom_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o salvation_n it_o behold_v christ_n a_o most_o absolute_a redeemer_n and_o christ_n shine_v to_o he_o in_o a_o incomparable_a beauty_n as_o the_o fair_a of_o man_n and_o this_o evidence_n be_v not_o without_o a_o seal_n for_o he_o feel_v power_n accompany_v light_n a_o new_a light_n he_o have_v which_o some_o year_n before_o he_o have_v not_o and_o a_o new_a power_n he_o have_v feel_v to_o follow_v that_o light_n the_o thing_n which_o now_o seem_v glorious_a to_o he_o and_o be_v his_o chief_a treasure_n be_v before_o contemptible_a and_o holiness_n which_o before_o be_v loathsome_a be_v now_o his_o chief_a delight_n and_o whence_o can_v such_o a_o change_n come_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v clean_o turn_v out_o of_o himself_o but_o by_o a_o hand_n that_o turn_v heart_n as_o river_n of_o water_n therefore_o true_o may_v it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o light_n of_o faith_n be_v seal_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o promise_n ephes._n 1.13_o so_o that_o we_o believe_v the_o truth_n not_o only_o by_o a_o single_a promise_n but_o even_o with_o a_o witness_n but_o the_o natural_a man_n will_v object_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o this_o sight_n of_o we_o be_v but_o a_o imagination_n and_o we_o see_v only_o because_o we_o think_v we_o do_v see_v but_o we_o answer_v first_o that_o he_o that_o deny_v our_o sight_n be_v himself_o blind_a and_o therefore_o can_v see_v that_o we_o do_v not_o see_v solomon_n say_v the_o fool_n walk_v in_o darkness_n but_o a_o wise_a man_n have_v his_o eye_n in_o his_o head_n now_o salomon_n fool_n be_v a_o natural_a man_n and_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v a_o man_n sanctify_v and_o how_o can_v the_o fool_n find_v by_o his_o darkness_n that_o the_o wise_a man_n find_v nothing_o by_o his_o light_n it_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o i_o do_v not_o see_v because_o his_o blindness_n can_v perceive_v my_o sight_n but_o he_o will_v have_v i_o prove_v it_o to_o he_o that_o i_o see_v but_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v prove_v it_o he_o can_v conceive_v 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