Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	wise_a	witness_v	world_n	16	3	3.9485	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45370	The private Christian's witness for Christianity to the notional and erroneous apprehensions of the Arminian, Socinian, and Deist of the age : with the easy and true means leading the prophane, meer professor, and lazy Christian, to the same experience, as preservative against the infection of each, and against the ill example of the practical blemishes in lazy Christians conversation.	Hamilton, David, Sir, 1663-1721.	1697 (1697)	Wing H477; ESTC R9357	136,639	289

disappoint_v my_o diligent_a use_n of_o mean_n common_o lead_v to_o such_o end_n but_o discover_v god_n design_n yea_o infinite_a love_n in_o my_o own_o disappointment_n and_o my_o meditation_n thereupon_o be_v thus_o do_v the_o lord_n strengthen_v i_o eminent_o after_o my_o fit_a of_o sickness_n and_o continual_o in_o most_o if_o not_o all_o my_o address_n to_o heaven_n since_o that_o time_n to_o ask_v for_o advance_v of_o this_o reliance_n and_o have_v the_o lord_n return_v this_o petition_n by_o sensible_a reliance_n upon_o himself_o never_o former_o acquaint_v with_o and_o that_o in_o a_o mysterious_a conduct_n of_o outward_a providence_n shall_v i_o therefore_o bring_v forth_o this_o ill_a improvement_n of_o not_o work_v with_o god_n or_o of_o trust_v god_n only_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o smile_a favour_n when_o difficulty_n sensible_o have_v tend_v to_o the_o increase_a my_o dependence_n upon_o god_n or_o trust_v god_n only_o when_o other_o thing_n be_v of_o no_o use_n or_o when_o mean_n produce_v such_o event_n natural_o or_o probable_o turn_v their_o course_n and_o prove_v ineffectual_a no_o that_o shall_v be_v no_o less_o than_o height_n of_o ingratitude_n and_o what_o my_o love_a god_n have_v prevent_v by_o his_o spirit_n be_v accompany_v his_o method_n of_o special_a outward_a providence_n and_o therefore_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o walk_v in_o a_o road_n of_o constant_a dependence_n upon_o he_o cry_v out_o oh_o the_o height_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o first_o design_v i_o such_o a_o mercy_n of_o reliance_n in_o bring_v it_o about_o and_o that_o in_o a_o method_n of_o outward_a providence_n evidence_v it_o sensible_o to_o myself_o as_o well_o as_o real_o work_v it_o in_o the_o soul_n by_o his_o spirit_n go_v along_o with_o his_o outward_a providence_n and_o in_o preserve_v this_o reliance_n notwithstanding_o the_o soul_n unwillingness_n when_o duty_n and_o interest_n go_v hand_n in_o hand_n at_o the_o same_o time_n this_o very_a experience_n be_v enough_o to_o answer_v all_o the_o ignorant_a cavil_n of_o the_o irreligious_a and_o the_o doubt_n of_o some_o christian_n who_o with_o the_o psalmist_n be_v perplex_v how_o to_o understand_v right_o the_o inequality_n of_o divine_a providence_n towards_o the_o profane_a and_o the_o gracious_a christian_a the_o first_o abound_v in_o worldly_a pleasure_n while_o the_o other_o appear_v under_o cross_v afflict_v providence_n the_o private_a christian_n inward_a observe_v experience_n of_o god_n method_n with_o himself_o afford_v knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o way_n and_o strength_n to_o resist_v corrupt_a and_o satanical_a suggestion_n and_o peace_n and_o comfort_n even_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o outward_a disappointment_n when_o their_o friend_n be_v in_o concern_v on_o their_o very_a account_n or_o other_o in_o their_o circumstance_n ready_a to_o stagger_v as_o to_o god_n favour_n to_o they_o and_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o appear_v to_o the_o observe_v christian_a the_o great_a token_n of_o divine_a special_a love_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o i_o will_v have_v you_o consider_v first_o that_o a_o christian_a renew_v from_o original_a corruption_n to_o grace_n be_v receive_v under_o a_o special_a conduct_n of_o god_n providence_n without_o as_o well_o as_o his_o spirit_n within_o and_o that_o great_o different_a from_o the_o common_a providence_n that_o attend_v the_o wicked_a of_o the_o earth_n psal_n 4.3_o but_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v apart_o he_o that_o be_v godly_a for_o himself_o exod._n 11.7_o the_o outward_a providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o special_a towards_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o the_o very_a dog_n be_v not_o to_o bark_n at_o they_o beside_o to_o be_v witness_n to_o three_o or_o four_o private_a christian_n impart_v god_n special_a conduct_n remark_v round_o each_o one_o of_o themselves_o one_o will_v think_v that_o the_o narrative_a of_o each_o argue_v so_o much_o of_o speciality_n as_o if_o each_o have_v be_v the_o alone_a belove_a child_n of_o god_n about_o who_o he_o have_v spend_v his_o special_a love_a care_n whereas_o those_o round_n who_o be_v the_o alone_a conduct_n of_o common_a providence_n they_o can_v reach_v no_o high_o than_o the_o general_a power_n of_o a_o great_a and_o merciful_a god_n as_o creator_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o not_o as_o their_o god_n and_o father_n or_o their_o providence_n attend_v they_o as_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o peculiar_a interest_n in_o he_o through_o christ_n and_o as_o heir_n of_o his_o kingdom_n enjoy_v the_o earnest_n thereof_o in_o the_o special_a outward_a providence_n and_o inward_a work_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n attend_v their_o life_n great_a loss_n therefore_o that_o christian_n incur_v who_o though_o under_o the_o special_a conduct_n of_o outward_a providence_n yet_o want_v the_o sense_n thereof_o unless_o in_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o for_o want_n of_o a_o general_a observation_n of_o all_o the_o step_n of_o god_n way_n with_o himself_o from_o his_o first_o conversion_n to_o a_o full_a establishment_n in_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n a_o christian_n that_o have_v be_v observant_a of_o god_n outward_a and_o inward_a conduct_n not_o only_o witness_n a_o speciality_n of_o providence_n regard_v god_n own_a child_n but_o he_o will_v patient_o bear_v afflict_v dispensation_n that_o be_v design_v to_o make_v he_o sensible_a of_o his_o neglect_n of_o god_n deal_n with_o he_o and_o of_o his_o neglect_n or_o careless_a performance_n of_o particular_a duty_n and_o may_v change_v his_o nature_n from_o secure_a cold_a and_o lazy_a to_o spiritual_a heavenly_a and_o zealous_a and_o to_o make_v he_o more_o watchful_a and_o diligent_a in_o the_o resist_a temptation_n and_o mortify_a corruption_n and_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o every_o grace_n that_o may_v preserve_v he_o from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o tempter_n a_o christian_a under_o the_o same_o special_a conduct_n of_o god_n care_n but_o without_o the_o strict_a observation_n of_o it_o in_o all_o the_o step_n of_o god_n providence_n have_v neither_o the_o knowledge_n nor_o the_o strength_n that_o the_o observe_a christian_n have_v convey_v to_o his_o soul_n as_o the_o true_a effect_n of_o so_o desirable_a a_o duty_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o droop_v in_o his_o spirit_n when_o afflict_v not_o know_v god_n design_n in_o particular_a though_o rely_v on_o that_o bless_a word_n that_o all_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o good_a to_o they_o that_o love_n god_n yet_o miss_v god_n particular_a design_n in_o the_o present_a want_n of_o his_o soul_n the_o present_a mercy_n thereby_o to_o be_v bestow_v he_o become_v in_o danger_n of_o satan_n tempt_v he_o to_o despondency_n of_o a_o melancholy_a carriage_n in_o religion_n and_o of_o pass_v his_o pilgrimage_n state_n under_o cloud_n second_o that_o since_o god_n own_o child_n be_v under_o the_o special_a conduct_n of_o providence_n than_o they_o alone_o must_v best_o judge_v of_o god_n wise_a procedure_n and_o witness_v for_o god_n that_o what_o the_o carnal_a world_n be_v apt_a to_o charge_v against_o god_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o present_a affliction_n of_o his_o child_n be_v from_o ignorance_n for_o affliction_n be_v the_o certain_a evidence_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o love_n as_o a_o father_n and_o a_o physician_n to_o purge_v they_o from_o sin_n to_o make_v they_o more_o holy_a and_o heavenly_a on_o earth_n and_o to_o make_v they_o more_o prepare_v to_o reign_v with_o he_o above_o though_o those_o who_o be_v only_o lead_v by_o sense_n see_v not_o good_a in_o affliction_n yet_o sincere_a believer_n who_o from_o constant_a observation_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n have_v improve_v affliction_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o comply_v with_o god_n end_n so_o soon_o as_o it_o appear_v and_o earnest_o pray_v for_o and_o rejoice_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o bless_a issue_n if_o christian_n be_v serious_a in_o search_v out_o their_o sin_n before_o or_o in_o the_o time_n of_o affliction_n and_o how_o defective_a they_o be_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o will_v be_v assure_v not_o only_o from_o divine_a revelation_n but_o from_o their_o happy_a experience_n of_o god_n mercy_n in_o all_o that_o the_o peaceable_a fruit_n of_o righteousness_n will_v outweigh_v all_o their_o suffering_n and_o sorrow_n a_o five_o method_n of_o god_n to_o advance_v reliance_n upon_o himself_o be_v by_o immediate_a specialty_n of_o a_o divine_a hand_n in_o passage_n of_o providence_n in_o lay_v matter_n of_o great_a success_n in_o my_o way_n and_o that_o in_o the_o follow_a instance_n first_o by_o bring_v they_o about_o without_o the_o operation_n of_o second_o cause_n common_o make_v use_n of_o have_v in_o many_o instance_n experience_v such_o thing_n lay_v in_o my_o way_n wherein_o i_o have_v hardly_o be_v

will_v with_o heat_n contend_v for_o their_o opinion_n in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o clear_a nor_o of_o great_a moment_n as_o if_o they_o be_v fundamental_a doctrine_n there_o be_v some_o christian_n that_o have_v not_o only_o the_o life_n of_o grace_n plant_v in_o they_o but_o the_o liveliness_n of_o grace_n they_o be_v work_v and_o watchful_a to_o prevent_v any_o impression_n and_o taint_n of_o evil_a from_o the_o contagion_n of_o the_o world_n wherewith_o they_o be_v encompass_v and_o they_o be_v watchful_a unto_o good_a they_o be_v ready_a to_o exercise_v every_o grace_n in_o its_o season_n and_o by_o a_o continual_a derivation_n of_o strength_n from_o christ_n they_o be_v preserve_v from_o sinful_a error_n and_o irregular_a passion_n our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n christ_n have_v pay_v the_o price_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o interest_n therein_o and_o enjoy_v the_o privilege_n thereof_o as_o evidence_n and_o earnest_n of_o heaven_n god_n have_v appoint_v mean_n whereby_o we_o may_v obtain_v this_o bless_a end_n mean_n that_o be_v suitable_a in_o their_o use_n to_o rational_a and_o lapse_v creature_n in_o their_o human_a capacity_n such_o as_o exclude_v boast_v in_o ourselves_o and_o of_o presumption_n licentiousness_n and_o security_n in_o a_o carnal_a conversation_n these_o mean_n be_v prescribe_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o prayer_n meditation_n hear_v and_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n these_o be_v the_o sphere_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v activity_n in_o these_o we_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n and_o he_o draw_v near_o we_o by_o these_o mean_n christ_n with_o all_o his_o save_a benefit_n be_v apply_v to_o soul_n by_o these_o they_o be_v revive_v from_o the_o death_n of_o sin_n and_o restore_v to_o the_o favour_n and_o image_n of_o god_n they_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o he_o and_o be_v confirm_v thereby_o against_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o evil_a spirit_n who_o rule_v the_o world_n those_o who_o neglect_v the_o holy_a and_o constant_a use_n of_o these_o mean_n whether_o from_o the_o delusion_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o heart_n will_v find_v that_o darkness_n be_v their_o guide_n and_o the_o issue_n of_o their_o way_n will_v be_v fatal_a and_o destructive_a let_v i_o therefore_o apply_v the_o forego_n narrative_a thus_o there_o be_v some_o professor_n that_o have_v knowledge_n in_o a_o eminent_a degree_n and_o be_v of_o a_o fair_a unblemished_a conversation_n by_o the_o advantage_n and_o impression_n of_o education_n but_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o inward_a power_n of_o godliness_n as_o ignorant_a heathen_n let_v such_o due_o consider_v the_o case_n and_o neither_o despair_n for_o the_o divine_a spirit_n can_v quicken_v they_o nor_o delay_v the_o serious_a and_o diligent_a use_n of_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v make_v effectual_a for_o the_o conversion_n and_o salvation_n of_o other_o let_v they_o observe_v both_o the_o outward_a providence_n of_o god_n and_o the_o inward_a work_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o apply_v themselves_o to_o god_n in_o the_o ordinance_n both_o private_a and_o public_a that_o they_o may_v receive_v renew_v grace_n of_o god_n and_o be_v preserve_v from_o destructive_a evil_n if_o a_o notional_a knowledge_n of_o god_n word_n and_o a_o unblemished_a outward_a conversation_n be_v no_o real_a christianity_n no_o certain_a testimony_n of_o real_a and_o save_v grace_n how_o utter_o void_a of_o it_o be_v the_o profane_a to_o they_o i_o will_v give_v this_o counsel_n not_o to_o be_v averse_a from_o serious_a and_o real_a religion_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o professor_n who_o have_v only_o a_o name_n to_o live_v but_o be_v dead_a or_o from_o a_o conceit_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o extreme_o rigorous_a as_o to_o deprive_v we_o of_o all_o natural_a comfort_n or_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o different_a opinion_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o to_o remove_v all_o prejudices_fw-la and_o to_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v the_o gospel_n to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n to_o obey_v the_o precept_n of_o it_o and_o then_o they_o will_v find_v christianity_n to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o outward_a profession_n a_o serious_a divine_a principle_n regulate_v the_o heart_n and_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v obtain_v of_o god_n by_o every_o sincere_a seeker_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o allow_v the_o temperate_a use_n of_o natural_a comfort_n and_o only_o forbid_v the_o licentious_a abuse_n of_o they_o whereby_o man_n become_v most_o unlike_a god_n and_o be_v like_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v and_o the_o lawful_a sober_a enjoyment_n of_o nature_n be_v consistent_a with_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v infinite_o more_o satisfy_a and_o last_v than_o all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sense_n for_o which_o so_o many_o lose_a heaven_n and_o be_v condemn_v to_o eternal_a torment_n if_o christianity_n and_o its_o power_n may_v be_v real_o feel_v in_o the_o soul_n and_o yet_o damp_v by_o the_o too_o long_a intermission_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o cloud_v by_o the_o admixture_n of_o too_o much_o of_o self_n produce_v a_o kind_n of_o christian_n lazy_a in_o the_o obtain_n the_o continue_a power_n of_o christ_n spirit_n in_o their_o soul_n and_o so_o be_v in_o danger_n both_o of_o long_a intermission_n of_o fellowship_n with_o god_n and_o break_v of_o fellowship_n one_o to_o another_o more_o dishonour_v god_n than_o either_o the_o mere_a professor_n or_o profane_v who_o never_o experience_v the_o reality_n and_o comfort_n of_o true_a christianity_n to_o such_o i_o will_v apply_v this_o exhortation_n not_o only_o to_o be_v in_o the_o right_a use_n of_o mean_n but_o in_o the_o more_o continue_v right_o use_v than_o ever_o former_o for_o undoubted_o if_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o way_n by_o which_o he_o walk_v and_o by_o which_o he_o communicate_v to_o believer_n to_o the_o truth_n whereof_o all_o experience_a christian_n will_v put_v their_o seal_n than_o the_o often_o christian_n walk_v in_o those_o way_n the_o often_o and_o the_o more_o they_o receive_v both_o of_o knowledge_n and_o comfort_n from_o god_n which_o undoubted_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o some_o real_a christian_n go_v beyond_o other_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o way_n and_o be_v in_o the_o more_o close_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o word_n with_o more_o inward_a fellowship_n with_o god_n both_o in_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o common_a conversation_n that_o therefore_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o doubt_v whereof_o be_v one_o great_a occasion_n of_o error_n and_o vice_n may_v be_v experience_v as_o truth_n and_o the_o mean_n lead_v thereto_o give_v forth_o i_o shall_v previous_o lay_v down_o two_o proposition_n the_o first_o instructive_a the_o other_o cautionary_a the_o first_o be_v that_o all_o the_o child_n of_o god_n in_o their_o pilgrimage-state_n be_v under_o three_o sort_n of_o conduct_n the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o god_n word_n the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o infallible_a rule_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o all_o doctrine_n of_o all_o our_o experience_n and_o all_o the_o passage_n of_o providence_n the_o second_o be_v that_o of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n who_o according_a to_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n instruct_v we_o in_o all_o save_v truth_n by_o the_o word_n and_o bring_v it_o to_o our_o remembrance_n to_o guide_v we_o safe_o to_o heaven_n the_o three_o be_v that_o of_o divine_a providence_n sometime_o enlighten_v what_o seem_v dark_a in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o christ_n spirit_n but_o found_v upon_o his_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o agreeable_a to_o both_o though_o the_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n be_v no_o certificate_n of_o god_n special_a love_n to_o man_n yet_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a tender_a providence_n of_o god_n that_o regard_v his_o child_n which_o be_v declarative_a of_o his_o special_a love_n and_o by_o a_o serious_a observation_n of_o it_o their_o duty_n and_o comfort_n will_v be_v encourage_v and_o improve_v second_o cautionary_a not_o to_o limit_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o any_o particular_a way_n or_o time_n of_o work_v in_o the_o soul_n either_o in_o plant_v of_o grace_n or_o its_o further_a growth_n though_o by_o observation_n of_o outward_a providence_n god_n be_v please_v to_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o first_o serious_a sense_n of_o myself_o and_o to_o a_o dependence_n upon_o god_n for_o life_n and_o for_o salvation_n and_o by_o marvellous_a step_n of_o his_o outward_a dispensation_n join_v with_o the_o inward_a work_n of_o his_o spirit_n he_o have_v begin_v and_o increase_v a_o gracious_a change_n in_o my_o soul_n yet_o he_o have_v use_v various_a method_n in_o the_o conversion_n and_o sanctification_n of_o

best_a preparation_n for_o preach_v and_o that_o according_a to_o his_o frame_n in_o prayer_n in_o the_o lord's-day_n morning_n such_o be_v the_o frame_n of_o his_o heart_n in_o preach_v i_o have_v myself_o find_v that_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a exercise_n of_o my_o affection_n in_o my_o closet-prayer_n such_o have_v be_v my_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n in_o public_a ordinance_n and_o especial_o in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n the_o professor_n of_o serious_a religion_n but_o especial_o minister_n be_v more_o in_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n and_o more_o obvious_a to_o censure_n therefore_o they_o shall_v be_v very_o regular_a in_o their_o conversation_n and_o watchful_a to_o prevent_v reproach_n upon_o religion_n if_o a_o divine_a spirit_n once_o meet_v you_o in_o the_o use_n of_o these_o three_o mean_n you_o will_v find_v that_o whereas_o you_o have_v former_o enjoy_v the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n without_o thankful_a thought_n of_o the_o bestower_n of_o they_o and_o 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