Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	according_a	doctrine_n	holy_a	2,747	5	4.2655	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A12529	Noahs doue, or Tydings of peace to the godly A comfortable sermon preached at a funerall. By Samuel Smith minister of Gods word at Prittlewel in Essex.	Smith, Samuel, 1588-1665.	1619 (1619)	STC 22851; ESTC S110828	14,797	60

NOAHS DOVE OR Tydings of Peace to the godly A comfortable Sermon preached at a Funerall By Samuel Smith Minister of Gods word at Prittlewel in Essex PSAL. 34.19 Many are the troubles of the righteous But the Lord deliuereth him out of them all LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes and are to be sold by Thomas Archer 1619. To the Christian Reader CHristian Reader as it hath euer bin the practice of wicked men to make their prosperity an argument of Gods fauour reasoning after this manner Is it likely that I should inioy so many blessings from God if my conuersation were not pleasing in his sight c. Eccl. 9.2 Not considering that these common gifts are giuen alike both to the godly man and to the sinner And that Esau though he was a man hated of God yet enioyed the fatnesse of the earth as well as Iacob Rom. 9.2 So the children of God beholding the outward prosperity of the wicked and their owne miserable condition here in this life haue hereby beene much troubled and haue beene moued to call Gods Iudgements into question how it could stand with his Iustice that wicked men should so abound in wealth that Rebelliously transgresse Ier. 12 1. Psal 37. This prooued a sore temptation vnto Dauid insomuch that he confessed that his steps had wel-nigh slipt Psal 73.2 And the same thing perplexed the Prophet Ieremie that hee was bold euen to reason the case with God saying Ier. 12.1 Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper why are they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse Many of Gods seruants are not a little affected herewith not vnderstāding the reason how the Lord will not suffer his children in this life to goe vnchastised for their sinnes but thereby brings them to a greater measure of humiliation As for the wicked the Prophet assigneth a reason of their prosperity namely this Ier. 12 3. That thou maiest pull them out like beasts for the slaughter and prepare them for the day of Destruction This truth is most cleerely set downe in the seauen and thirty Psalme a portion whereof I haue handled in the Sermon following my desire herein is to comfort Gods people that notwithstanding their present condition may seeme to bee miserable yet the Lord doth euer vpholde his in time of greatest danger and of this they shall be sure that their later end shal be peace I wish thee comfort by it and by all other holy helpes And so remayne Thine in euery Christian office Samuel Smith Prittlewel this 8. of April 1619. PSALM 37.37 Marke the vpright man and behold the iust the latter end of that man shall be peace THe Author of this Scripture as all other the Scriptures of God is the Spirit of God according to that of the Apostle All Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God 2. Tim. 3.16 and is profitable for Doctrine for reproofe for correction for Instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect in all good workes The Instrument that the holy Ghost vseth for the penning of it It seemes to be the Prophet Dauid A princely Prophet of the Lord and that Sweet singer of Israel The argument of the Psalme is an Exhortation vnto all Gods people that are ready many times to be grieued at the prosperity of the wicked and at the afflictions of the godly For men are but men haue their infirmities a thing not to bee wondred at Iob. 4.18.19 For as Iob saith Beholde hee found no stedfastnesse in his seruants and layd folly vpon his Angels How much more in them that dwell in houses of clay And amongst many other infirmities that the godly are subiect vnto here in this life this is not the least that they grudge and repine at the prosperity of the wicked whom they finde to be free from troubles and as for outward prosperity to florish like a greene Bay tree which makes the godly to thinke that they haue cleansed their heart in vaine Now against these assaults and temptations Gods spirit doth ●ence vs strēgthen vs in this Psalme giuing vs to vnderstand that howsoeuer the wicked haue here abundance of prosperity for a time it is but for a time For hee sheweth that all euill doers shall bee cut off and after a short time shall no where be found How prosperously soeuer the wicked may liue for a time hee affirmes that their felicity is but vaine transitory for being in their sinnes and not in Gods fauour in the ende are sure to bee destroyed with the rest of Gods enemies And on the contrary part how miserable soeuer the estate and condition of the godly seemes to bee in this world yet being in Gods fauour their end shall be peace The Psalme diuides it selfe into three parts Parts of the Psalm First an Exhortation to the weake that they bee not grieued nor disquiet themselues at the prosperity of the wicked and the affliction of the godly and this is layd downe from the first verse to the 7. verse Secondly hee sheweth that how prosperously soeuer the wicked doe liue for a time yet their present felicity is vaine transitory and suddenly shall come to an end From the seauenth verse to the eleuenth Thirdly he sheweth that how miserable soeuer the godly seem to liue in this world yet shall still be preserued and their end shall be peace To the end of the Psalme The verse wee haue in hand containes in it matter of exhortation that we diligently marke and behold the vpright man the man that is godly religious makes conscience of holy duties that in all things labours to keepe a cleere conscience before God and all men that howsoeuer this man be exercised with sore afflictiō vndergoes much hardship at the hands of others bee neglected or little regarded yet the later end of that man shall bee peace The verse hath in it two parts First the matter of obseruation who is it the Holy Ghost would haue vs to take such notice of not the Noble the Rich or the Mighty but the Vpright and Iust man Secondly the end wherefore we should so diligently obserue him namely that wee might be incouraged in wel-doing and not discouraged vnder our present afflictions since hee is sure to haue peace at last In the first of these which is the matter of obseruation I obserue two things First the note of attention marke and behold Secondly the person to bee obserued the vpright and iust man First the Holy Ghost seeketh to awaken our eyes which naturally are very drowsie to behold any thing that is good and to prepare our hearts which are first to be sought vp before wee can goe about Gods businesses Marke and beholde 1. The note of attention these words of attention make known vnto vs that there is some waightie matter within this Text which Almighty God would haue vs well to cōsider of For so indeed in the

to warne me and to teach mee that if I commit the same sinne God is iust still I shall bee sure to partake of the same punishment and so to breake off their sinnes by repentance But alas though wee see and heare daily of neuer so many fearefull examples of Gods iudgements against sinne and sinners where is the man that saith alas What haue I done for farre are many from marking Gods dealing with others Secondly this ministers matter Vse 2 of instructiō vnto all that we marke well the vpright It is the counsell the Holy Ghost giues vnto vs heere followe them as they haue followed God bee carefull to imitate their vertues so shalt thou bee sure to pertake of their praise Heb. 11. Our labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord He is a plentifull rewarder of them that seeke him And euer remember that God is vnchangeable true hee that stood by them and carried them out through all their miseries and afflictions will bee as strong in thee if thou be carefull to walke with him as they haue done Marke the vpright man and behold the iust The next thing wee are here to take notice of is the description of a godly man or that man that especially is to be marked hee is an vpright man and a iust man These titles wee see are frequent often vsed in the Scriptures and the Lord doth honor his seruants with them whence we are taught this instruction Doct. 2 That Gods seruants in this life may attaine vnto that measure of grace and sanctication Gods seruants may be called vpright men and iust here Iob. 1.1 Luk. 1. Act. 10. Heb. 11.38 as that they may truely be called vpright and iust men Thus doth the Lord commend Iob to bee an vpright and iust man It was the cōmendations of Zacherie Cornelius diuerse others mentioned in the Scripture Which Doctrine indeed deserues to bee vrged and pressed to stop the mouthes of those that are euer disgracing Gods people with their taunts Oh you are holy you are an vpright man you are a iust man but herein they despise not man but God who hath holinesse in his seruants Heb. 4. without which no man shall see God But if I should stand vpon this point I should bereaue you of some other instruction more fitter for this present occasion which I would willingly impart vnto you And so I come to the second part of the verse The later end of that man shall be peace These words containe in thē the reason why we shold so dilligently obserue the vpright man The later end of that man shall be peace Out of this Reason I obserue two things First the speciall time of refreshing God will take care of the godly at all times yea thogh the Lord doe suffer them to lie vnder affliction for a time hee is not then vnmindfull of them But their later end shall haue a double rewarde Secondly I note the blessing it selfe which shal be conferred vpon them 2. Cor. 13.13 it is peace the greatest blessing and that which goeth beyond all other blessings for it passeth all vnderstanding The Latter end of that man shall be peace The Prophet hauing before exhorted vs to marke and behold the life of the vpright man and iust man comes now to shewe wherein hee is happy aboue others hee shall haue peace Peace is promised vnto him frō God as a iust recompence of his vprightnesse and fastnesse this he shall bee sure of Sathan the world nor his owne corruption shall neuer be able to take it frō him it is an inseparable companion of grace and vertue haue thou grace thou shalt be sure of peace But marke heere it is at their latter end they are not sure of it at all times no no Gods seruants are heere in a warfare they are to fight against the Diuell and a world of wicked men and as our Sauiour teacheth Ioh. 16.33 In the world you must haue tribulation but The latter end shall be peace The Doctrine is Doct. 3 The godly in this life haue many troubles That good men yea the dearest of Gods Saints and seruants in this life shall haue troubles sore affl ctions which they bear so much the more grieuous when on euery side the wicked shall abound in pleasure This was it that so troubled Dauid at this time and before hee wondered at the prosperity of the wicked and on the contrary part was much cast down to see what a loade of afflictions lay vpon the godly but now he recouers himselfe with the comfort of this that howsoeuer Gods people suffer much for a time it is but for a time yea a short they shall bee sure to haue peace at last And now hee hath learned this lesson and can teach it others That looke how many will truely feare the Lord that carefully will endeauour to walke in Gods commandements to the end of their dayes they shall haue crosses and troubles Act. 14.22 so true is that of the Apostle That all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution Innumerable troubles saith Dauid haue compassed mee from my youth may Israel now say they haue oftentimes afflicted mee from my youth Psal 40.12 but they could not preuaile against mee I might instance this Doctrine by infinite examples Abraham in exile Iob on the dunghil Ioseph innocent Ioseph in the prison as a malefactor in an high degree Ieremy in the stocks Daniel in the denne the people of Israel euen the Israel of God in miserable bondage vnder the Egyptitians So that I conclude that look how many of vs as intēd to be righteous we must looke for afflictions and troubles yea and prepare our hearts thereunto not to bee dismayed at them when they fall vpon vs had though some strange thing had happened vnto vs according to that of the Apostle 1. Pet. 4.12.13 Dearely beloued think it not strange concerning the fiery tryall which is amongst you to prooue you as though some strange things were come vnto you But reioyce in as much as ye are pertakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall appeare ye may be glad and reiocye I shall not neede I hope in so euident a truth to search vp more Scriptures to proue it The Reasons that follow will cleare the same vnto vs. Reas 1 First because the godly haue in them many sinnes for sinne is the generall and vniuersall cause of all troubles for so testifieth the Prophet saying Lam. 39.3 Man suffereth for his sinne let vs search try our waies and turne vnto the Lord. So then in as much as all haue sinned all are lyable to chastisements afflictions the iust punishment of sinne and if wee breake his Satutes and keep not his Commandements no maruaile though the Lord doe visit our iniquities with his rod and our sinnes with scourges Secondly because the godly Reas 2 haue many graces