Selected quad for the lemma: saint_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
saint_n	angel_n	glorious_a	holy_a	1,763	5	4.5522	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59239	Of devotion By J. S.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1678 (1678)	Wing S2585A; ESTC R220098	48,774	178

more_o agreeable_a to_o we_o take_v we_o as_o we_o be_v thus_o dispose_v render_v the_o soul_n more_o operative_a for_o it_o which_o active_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o pursue_v any_o thing_n it_o judge_v agreeable_a or_o good_a we_o use_v to_o call_v love_n §_o 2._o whence_o again_o be_v see_v two_o considerable_a advantage_n in_o prayer_n in_o which_o also_o the_o sum_n of_o our_o christian_a life_n be_v contain_v viz._n to_o beget_v a_o fervent_a and_o hearty_a love_n of_o god_n in_o our_o heart_n and_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o overcome_v all_o temptation_n both_o which_o be_v perform_v by_o render_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o good_n of_o the_o other_o life_n very_o lively_a and_o as_o it_o be_v bright_a in_o our_o mind_n for_o this_o do_v they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o work_v love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n in_o our_o heart_n if_o they_o be_v not_o that_o very_a love_n itself_o which_o will_v efface_v or_o at_o least_o dim_a with_o their_o far_a more_o resplendent_a lustre_n the_o gay_a appearance_n of_o false_a and_o transitory_a good_n and_o so_o preserve_v the_o soul_n from_o be_v delude_v by_o she_o three_o spiritual_a enemy_n for_o which_o reason_n they_o that_o be_v in_o temptation_n be_v as_o much_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o prayer_n as_o a_o man_n in_o danger_n to_o lose_v his_o life_n by_o a_o distemper_n he_o feel_v grow_v upon_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o help_n as_o physic_n assist_v we_o with_o nay_o rather_o much_o more_o according_a as_o the_o great_a concern_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o great_a certainty_n of_o the_o success_n and_o cure_n be_v more_o powerful_a motive_n to_o make_v they_o act_v and_o endeavour_v to_o seek_v a_o remedy_n §_o 3._o now_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n be_v thus_o wrought_v in_o our_o mind_n by_o prayer_n and_o love_n be_v unitive_a of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o object_n belove_v according_a to_o the_o common_a say_n dictate_v by_o our_o natural_a thought_n that_o if_o two_o love_n one_o another_o they_o be_v all_o one_o it_o be_v far_o discover_v how_o incomparable_o prayer_n dignify_v and_o ennoble_v the_o soul_n &_o this_o to_o a_o great_a degree_n beyond_o what_o mere_a knowledge_n that_o be_v knowledge_n stay_v in_o speculation_n and_o not_o render_v efficacious_a by_o considerative_a prayer_n can_v have_v effect_v if_o then_o every_o power_n receive_v a_o different_a degree_n of_o nobleness_n in_o proportion_n to_o the_o object_n it_o be_v employ_v about_o nay_o if_o in_o our_o case_n it_o become_v it_o intellectual_o and_o be_v in_o a_o more_o intimate_a manner_n unite_v to_o it_o by_o love_n and_o the_o object_n of_o the_o soul_n while_o in_o prayer_n be_v god_n own_o infinite_a essence_n it_o follow_v that_o prayer_n which_o be_v at_o once_o studious_a and_o affective_a perform_v both_o these_o advance_v a_o soul_n to_o so_o high_a a_o pitch_n of_o dignity_n that_o not_o all_o the_o potentate_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o learn_v of_o the_o wise_a nor_o riches_n of_o both_o the_o indies_n conspire_v together_o no_o not_o the_o whole_a innumerable_a host_n of_o angelical_a nature_n join_v all_o their_o force_n can_v raise_v she_o to_o that_o height_n of_o dignity_n that_o vicinity_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o prayer_n can_v do_v who_o then_o that_o love_v true_a nobility_n and_o the_o solid_a perfection_n of_o his_o soul_n but_o will_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o mean_n of_o gain_v so_o high_a preferment_n and_o how_o strange_o be_v the_o indevout_a part_n of_o the_o world_n frantic_a who_o look_v upon_o prayer_n as_o a_o idle_a bigottery_n and_o fruitless_a entertainment_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o airy_a conceit_n without_o any_o far_a effect_n or_o benefit_n §_o 4._o for_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o soul_n unemployed_a in_o prayer_n and_o so_o unconcern_v to_o frame_v lively_a idea_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o heaven_n blissful_a state_n that_o be_v how_o beautify_v and_o ennoble_v a_o object_n god_n essence_n be_v but_o make_v some_o creature_n the_o study_n of_o its_o affective_a thought_n and_o first_o love_n of_o its_o will_n become_v that_o creature_n though_o never_o so_o base_a and_o wretched_a and_o never_o advance_v high_a she_o be_v marry_v as_o it_o be_v to_o that_o mean_a object_n by_o her_o give_v it_o her_o love_n and_o be_v debase_v or_o raise_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o vileness_n or_o dignity_n as_o be_v find_v in_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o she_o be_v espouse_v if_o it_o be_v earth_n she_o be_v earthy_a if_o it_o be_v flesh_n she_o be_v carnal_a if_o money_n she_o be_v no_o more_o worth_a than_o shine_a dirt_n be_v if_o honour_n she_o be_v empty_a and_o airy_a and_o just_o too_o since_o she_o have_v the_o mean_n to_o advance_v herself_o by_o prayer_n and_o rather_o choose_v to_o lie_v grovel_v on_o the_o ground_n and_o wallow_v in_o the_o dirt_n than_o raise_v her_o head_n by_o it_o to_o the_o glorious_a fountain_n of_o all_o true_a excellency_n §_o 5._o from_o what_o be_v say_v may_v be_v collect_v also_o what_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o soul_n by_o their_o devotion_n to_o angel_n and_o saint_n in_o heaven_n first_o they_o that_o intend_v to_o benefit_n themselves_o by_o this_o way_n aught_o to_o frame_v in_o their_o thought_n a_o most_o exact_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o happy_a state_n the_o bless_a enjoy_v how_o full_a of_o conformity_n to_o god_n will_v and_o thence_o how_o not_o only_o inclinable_a but_o unchangeable_o fix_v to_o follow_v right_a reason_n and_o act_n according_a to_o high_a virtue_n in_o all_o thing_n how_o boundless_o their_o soul_n be_v enlarge_v by_o charity_n to_o embrace_v all_o the_o world_n and_o wish_v they_o from_o their_o heart_n and_o unenuious_o all_o the_o good_n they_o see_v they_o can_v possible_o be_v capable_a of_o even_o though_o they_o see_v it_o will_v be_v great_a than_o their_o own_o how_o their_o understanding_n power_n be_v replenish_v with_o a_o most_o incomparable_a glory_n or_o surround_v with_o ray_n of_o most_o pure_a and_o most_o bright_a light_n of_o knowledge_n and_o their_o will_n most_o indissoluble_o unite_v with_o and_o immerse_v most_o intimate_o in_o the_o boundless_a ocean_n of_o all_o goodness_n by_o which_o mean_v those_o happy_a person_n become_v deify_v or_o raise_v to_o such_o a_o dignity_n that_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n put_v together_o be_v empty_a beggary_n and_o worthless_a trash_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o noble_a and_o close_a relation_n to_o the_o divinity_n or_o which_o be_v more_o union_n with_o it_o §_o 6._o particular_o of_o the_o saint_n it_o be_v fit_a devout_a person_n first_o choose_v those_o who_o state_n here_o be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o to_o some_o degree_n then_o attentive_o read_v their_o life_n sober_o write_v regard_v more_o their_o solid_a virtue_n propose_v there_o to_o their_o imitation_n than_o the_o esclat_a of_o their_o miracle_n which_o be_v but_o the_o likely_a sign_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o need_v a_o eminent_a and_o constant_o practise_v virtue_n accompany_v they_o to_o make_v they_o such_o since_o the_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n prophesy_v and_o the_o like_a have_v be_v grant_v even_o to_o heathen_n on_o some_o occasion_n as_o st._n hierom_n and_o the_o father_n inform_v we_o have_v thus_o gain_v a_o lively_a character_n of_o the_o particular_a spirit_n that_o such_o a_o saint_n have_v if_o we_o cultivate_v it_o in_o our_o mind_n with_o a_o high_a esteem_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o saint_n as_o endow_v with_o such_o and_o such_o virtue_n and_o so_o let_v it_o sink_v into_o our_o will_n and_o grow_v a_o desire_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o all_o this_o be_v heighten_v and_o make_v more_o lively_a and_o more_o efficacious_a by_o apply_v to_o the_o saint_n himself_o by_o prayer_n or_o invoke_v he_o to_o obtain_v of_o god_n goodness_n that_o portion_n of_o his_o virtuous_a spirit_n which_o he_o see_v fit_v for_o we_o we_o shall_v at_o length_n be_v wrought_v up_o a_o endeavour_n to_o imitate_v he_o go_v along_o into_o the_o very_a genius_n of_o that_o saint_n and_o as_o it_o be_v become_v he_o and_o make_v his_o merit_n we_o not_o by_o extrinsecal_n imputation_n as_o if_o because_o we_o daily_o ask_v virtue_n for_o the_o saint_n sake_n without_o any_o other_o disposition_n on_o our_o part_n they_o be_v share_v out_o to_o we_o and_o as_o it_o be_v extrinsecal_o apply_v to_o our_o will_n and_o so_o better_a our_o interior_a let_v none_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o such_o hope_n for_o catholic_n faith_n admit_v no_o extrinsical_a imputation_n of_o christ_n merit_n much_o less_o of_o those_o of_o the_o saint_n but_o this_o be_v perform_v by_o propose_v their_o virtuous_a example_n as_o a_o object_n which_o by_o be_v penetrate_v lively_a and_o thence_o desire_v hearty_o

make_v we_o become_v like_o the_o saint_n himself_o that_o be_v virtuous_a and_o this_o because_o it_o be_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o become_v that_o thing_n by_o her_o understanding_n and_o will_n which_o it_o studious_o know_v and_o affectionate_o love_v and_o in_o that_o very_a regard_n too_o and_o to_o that_o degree_n in_o which_o we_o apply_v ourselves_o considerate_o to_o know_v it_o and_o hearty_o to_o love_v it_o but_o this_o will_v better_o be_v understand_v by_o what_o follow_v after_o §_o 7._o hence_o also_o be_v see_v the_o true_a use_n of_o picture_n keep_v holiday_n of_o saint_n and_o such_o other_o devotion_n all_o which_o renew_v in_o our_o mind_n the_o thought_n of_o such_o a_o virtuous_a person_n must_v needs_o be_v beneficial_a since_o they_o purify_v our_o mind_n by_o familiarise_v it_o to_o such_o holy_a and_o elevate_v object_n and_o by_o help_v it_o to_o make_v the_o character_n of_o the_o saint_n virtuous_a life_n and_o of_o its_o particular_a agreeableness_n to_o we_o more_o express_a till_o at_o length_n by_o will_n and_o affection_n as_o well_o as_o by_o mere_a understanding_n we_o become_v in_o a_o manner_n it._n but_o especial_o these_o help_n be_v necessary_a to_o those_o who_o arrive_v not_o at_o the_o love_n of_o spiritual_a good_n by_o strength_n of_o judgement_n or_o clear_a evidence_n of_o reason_n but_o by_o often_o reiterated_a impression_n of_o object_n upon_o the_o know_a power_n by_o mean_n of_o the_o sense_n i_o meddle_v not_o here_o with_o other_o more_o wonderful_a effect_n do_v by_o our_o application_n to_o saint_n and_o their_o intercession_n for_o we_o when_o the_o faith_n of_o he_o that_o pray_v require_v it_o the_o principle_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v so_o deep_a and_o be_v withal_o so_o remote_a from_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o it_o will_v be_v too_o long_a a_o digression_n to_o attempt_v here_o their_o explication_n sect_n v._o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v the_o infallible_a mean_n to_o obtain_v all_o our_o best_a wish_n the_o impetrative_a part_n of_o prayer_n or_o the_o virtue_n it_o have_v of_o obtain_v from_o god_n infallible_o what_o ever_o we_o ask_v for_o ourselves_o that_o we_o can_v be_v sure_o be_v our_o true_a good_a be_v perhaps_o as_o great_a a_o incentive_a to_o exercise_v it_o as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o doctrine_n no_o less_o comfortable_a than_o strange_a we_o ought_v then_o to_o unriddle_v it_o and_o make_v it_o out_o and_o first_o we_o must_v remark_n that_o we_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a that_o any_o external_n thing_n be_v good_a for_o we_o be_v it_o riches_n honour_n pleasure_n health_n friend_n etc._n etc._n for_o to_o many_o all_o these_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o damnation_n as_o they_o have_v of_o salvation_n to_o other_o nay_o some_o be_v of_o that_o genius_n and_o so_o circumstance_v that_o nothing_o but_o extreme_a misery_n in_o this_o world_n can_v keep_v they_o from_o sin_v other_o again_o be_v so_o temper_v that_o they_o grow_v desperate_a by_o great_a and_o continual_a cross_n and_o fall_v into_o a_o stupidity_n or_o disregard_n of_o all_o duty_n if_o press_v heavy_o by_o affliction_n nay_o more_o speak_v of_o interior_a perfection_n which_o have_v a_o great_a vicinity_n to_o virtue_n even_a knowledge_n have_v make_v some_o solid_o virtuous_a other_o vain_o proud_a nothing_o therefore_o but_o that_o perfection_n of_o the_o mind_n call_v virtue_n be_v secure_o good_a for_o we_o since_o then_o it_o be_v direct_o against_o reason_n to_o wish_v press_o and_o absolute_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o will_v do_v we_o good_a or_o harm_n reason_n tell_v we_o we_o be_v not_o to_o beg_v of_o god_n absolute_o any_o thing_n but_o virtue_n the_o rest_n only_o conditional_o or_o with_o this_o reservation_n in_o case_n our_o heavenly_a father_n judge_v we_o have_v need_n of_o they_o or_o in_o case_n he_o see_v they_o convenient_a for_o we_o and_o it_o be_v of_o this_o i_o affirm_v that_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v of_o god_n by_o prayer_n it_o will_v be_v always_o grant_v and_o that_o too_o to_o the_o very_a same_o degree_n as_o be_v our_o fervency_n in_o ask_v it_o §_o 2._o to_o understand_v how_o this_o be_v effect_v we_o must_v reflect_v that_o to_o pray_v for_o any_o virtue_n be_v earnest_o to_o wish_v it_o as_o also_o that_o prayer_n if_o perform_v attentive_o and_o as_o it_o ought_v be_v the_o most_o serious_a action_n of_o our_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o treaty_n or_o communication_n with_o god_n the_o seer_n of_o our_o heart_n with_o who_o it_o be_v the_o most_o irreverent_a folly_n that_o may_v be_v not_o to_o be_v in_o earnest_n when_o we_o profess_v it_o outward_o prayer_n therefore_o for_o virtue_n be_v the_o most_o serious_a and_o most_o effectual_a act_n of_o the_o will_v imaginable_a strong_o set_v and_o bend_v towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o that_o perfection_n we_o pray_v for_o that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o frequent_a and_o hearty_a wish_n of_o virtue_n and_o what_o be_v virtue_n but_o a_o confirm_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_v to_o do_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n or_o a_o habitual_a will_n to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n and_o christian_a principle_n and_o how_o be_v habit_n get_v but_o by_o oft_o repeat_v or_o very_o effectual_a act_n since_o then_o when_o ever_o we_o pray_v for_o virtue_n as_o we_o ought_v both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o prayer_n for_o we_o both_o repeat_v often_o our_o wish_n which_o be_v act_n of_o our_o will_n and_o withal_o they_o be_v the_o most_o serious_a most_o solemn_a and_o most_o elevate_v act_n that_o can_v be_v and_o thence_o very_o efficacious_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o pray_v for_o virtue_n be_v the_o very_o gain_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o warm_v continue_v and_o advance_v beget_v heat_n and_o heat_v a_o flame_n §_o 3._o you_o will_v say_v all_o this_o give_v no_o great_a account_n of_o any_o particularity_n in_o prayer_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o virtue_n since_o according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n the_o frequent_a consider_v with_o ourselves_o and_o ponder_v well_o the_o excellency_n of_o virtue_n may_v beget_v wish_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o virtue_n in_o we_o and_o this_o in_o as_o high_a a_o manner_n if_o well_o follow_v as_o prayer_n do_v i_o answer_v first_o the_o case_n be_v impossible_a for_o except_z when_o we_o wish_v to_o get_v virtue_n we_o aim_v at_o heaven_n by_o thus_o wish_v it_o it_o be_v not_o true_a virtue_n we_o wish_v but_o some_o apish_a resemblance_n of_o it_o to_o make_v we_o esteem_v by_o the_o world_n or_o for_o some_o other_o temporal_a end_n and_o if_o in_o set_v our_o selus_fw-la to_o consider_v its_o goodness_n and_o excellency_n which_o consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o dispose_v we_o for_o heaven_n and_o thence_o wish_v it_o we_o aim_v at_o the_o attainment_n of_o heaven_n or_o the_o blissful_a sight_n of_o god_n by_o it_o we_o be_v in_o prayer_n all_o the_o while_o we_o wish_v it_o after_o some_o manner_n though_o perhaps_o there_o go_v not_o along_o with_o it_o the_o addressive_a part_n to_o god_n by_o way_n of_o petition_n which_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a shall_v be_v want_v in_o those_o who_o habitual_o know_v by_o faith_n and_o by_o christian_a language_n and_o practice_n be_v inure_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o good_n especial_o supernatural_a one_o come_v from_o god_n §_o 4._o next_o i_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o a_o true_a sight_n of_o the_o excellency_n and_o utility_n of_o virtue_n improve_v by_o our_o consideration_n may_v cause_v some_o degree_n of_o wish_n or_o desire_n of_o it_o and_o so_o beget_v virtue_n at_o first_o or_o advance_v it_o something_o but_o that_o all_o those_o mean_n be_v dry_a and_o inefficacious_a without_o prayer_n will_v appear_v by_o the_o advantage_n find_v in_o prayer_n as_o first_o that_o while_o our_o thought_n be_v set_v upon_o he_o who_o be_v our_o last_o end_n we_o take_v our_o aim_n more_o steady_o at_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o attain_v he_o 2_o i'faith_o which_o we_o suppose_v to_o go_v before_o prayer_n tell_v we_o all_o come_v from_o he_o it_o heighten_v our_o soul_n and_o consequent_o fancy_n far_o above_o that_o pitch_n to_o which_o natural_a and_o unelevated_a thought_n can_v have_v raise_v they_o 3_o faith_n tell_v we_o also_o he_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o virtue_n the_o very_a approach_n to_o he_o by_o prayer_n and_o beg_v it_o of_o he_o be_v the_o draw_v it_o into_o our_o selus_fw-la from_o his_o inexhaustible_a treasure_n of_o all_o good_n 4_o i'faith_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o hear_v our_o prayer_n which_o be_v make_v according_a to_o