Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	great_a	holy_a	2,630	5	4.2392	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62277	Concio ad clerum a sermon preach'd to the clergy at the arch-deacon's visitation, held at Huntington, May 19, 1696 ... : to which is added a preface to the clergy / by Sam. Satwell ...	Saywell, Samuel, 1651 or 2-1709.	1696 (1696)	Wing S799; ESTC R23166	26,607	48

in_o we_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o the_o work_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v represent_v in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o a_o hard_a and_o difficult_a work_n and_o that_o we_o be_v therein_o command_v and_o exhort_v to_o watch_v to_o run_v to_o fight_v to_o strive_v to_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o contend_v earnest_o to_o use_v violence_n to_o take_v diligent_a heed_n to_o walk_v circumspect_o to_o do_v all_o that_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o take_v to_o ourselves_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v stand_v to_o and_o acquit_v ourselves_o like_o man_n in_o the_o great_a work_n we_o take_v upon_o we_o at_o our_o baptism_n and_o man_n have_v ever_o find_v that_o the_o slip_n into_o any_o sinful_a or_o evil_a habit_n be_v easy_a and_o natural_a to_o they_o it_o be_v like_a slide_v down_o the_o hill_n and_o swim_v with_o the_o stream_n but_o the_o attain_v any_o new_a degree_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o increase_n in_o any_o habit_n of_o piety_n do_v require_v our_o special_a care_n pain_n and_o watchfulness_n now_o hence_o we_o may_v all_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o due_o and_o constant_o mind_v the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n to_o see_v good_a man_n to_o fail_v and_o to_o come_v short_a of_o their_o best_a purpose_n and_o resolution_n because_o it_o be_v hard_a for_o they_o to_o attend_v steadfast_o at_o all_o time_n to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v irksome_a and_o opposite_a to_o their_o strong_a natural_a inclination_n for_o man_n must_v have_v something_o or_o other_o to_o please_v and_o delight_v themselves_o in_o or_o else_o they_o can_v be_v easy_a or_o happy_a in_o any_o measure_n therefore_o till_o person_n can_v arrive_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n as_o to_o take_v delight_n and_o pleasure_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v difficult_a to_o they_o and_o they_o will_v so_o long_o be_v in_o immediate_a danger_n of_o degenerate_v from_o their_o holy_a call_v and_o profession_n nay_o of_o fall_v into_o grievous_a sin_n and_o carelessness_n of_o live_v therefore_o till_o our_o heart_n be_v loosen_v and_o pretty_a well_o wean_v from_o all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v enjoy_v in_o this_o life_n and_o until_o we_o have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n through_o the_o lust_n after_o worldly_a thing_n as_o st._n peter_n have_v it_o and_o till_o we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o inordinate_a love_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n as_o st._n john_n express_v it_o and_o till_o with_o st._n paul_n we_o can_v count_v all_o thing_n here_o as_o dung_n that_o we_o may_v win_v christ_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a so_o due_o and_o steadfast_o to_o mind_n and_o seek_v the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v 2._o consider_v this_o exceed_a great_a difficulty_n of_o always_o preserve_v so_o exact_a a_o innocency_n so_o fervent_a a_o zeal_n and_o so_o prudent_a a_o deportment_n in_o all_o respect_n as_o can_v be_v wish_v for_o in_o every_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o remember_v that_o there_o be_v great_a fail_n and_o defect_n among_o the_o clergy_n even_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v learn_v to_o make_v allowance_n unto_o they_o and_o to_o overlook_v their_o fail_n as_o they_o do_v those_o of_o other_o man_n for_o they_o be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o same_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o be_v man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o other_o they_o have_v the_o same_o lust_n and_o corruption_n to_o fight_v against_o that_o other_o man_n have_v and_o therefore_o it_o must_v not_o be_v think_v strange_a if_o they_o be_v conquer_a sometime_o though_o their_o business_n be_v to_o lead_v and_o teach_v other_o how_o to_o fight_v for_o you_o know_v the_o commander_n and_o captain_n be_v often_o conquer_a and_o slay_v as_o well_o as_o the_o soldier_n of_o common_a rank_n the_o priesthood_n be_v never_o exempt_v from_o the_o fatal_a disaster_n that_o befall_v man_n in_o the_o spiritual_a warfare_n nor_o be_v it_o ever_o able_a to_o preserve_v those_o that_o bear_v it_o from_o every_o moral_a blemish_n though_o no_o one_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o aaron_n who_o have_v any_o obvious_a defect_n or_o blemish_n in_o his_o body_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o under_o the_o law_n leu._n 21._o we_o all_o know_v what_o that_o law_n aim_v at_o and_o what_o it_o be_v to_o signify_v to_o we_o but_o however_o in_o the_o event_n it_o be_v but_o like_o the_o rest_n of_o god_n most_o perfect_a law_n rather_o show_v man_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v than_o what_o they_o real_o be_v or_o ever_o have_v general_o be_v and_o see_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n it_o can_v be_v hope_v that_o any_o order_n or_o small_a society_n of_o man_n will_v continue_v long_o in_o this_o world_n without_o their_o remarkable_a defect_n and_o fail_n it_o be_v therefore_o great_a injustice_n to_o bespatter_v and_o deride_v whole_a order_n and_o body_n of_o man_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o personal_a miscarriage_n of_o some_o particular_a member_n and_o from_o the_o fault_n of_o some_o minister_n and_o instrument_n of_o religion_n to_o argue_v against_o and_o condemn_v religion_n itself_o but_o they_o be_v common_o bad_a logician_n and_o worse_a moralist_n that_o make_v use_v of_o this_o and_o such_o like_a argument_n against_o our_o holy_a profession_n and_o it_o shall_v especial_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o our_o day_n be_v vast_o different_a from_o they_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n for_o they_o be_v to_o travel_v from_o place_n to_o place_n and_o we_o be_v fix_v to_o our_o station_n they_o have_v their_o maintenance_n provide_v for_o they_o quiet_o by_o the_o charitable_a care_n and_o piety_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o many_o untoward_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n for_o the_o procure_n of_o we_o the_o very_a first_o preacher_n have_v not_o family_n about_o they_o to_o burden_n and_o distract_v they_o as_o they_o more_o general_o have_v have_v who_o have_v live_v in_o the_o settle_a time_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v to_o do_v with_o those_o that_o dread_v their_o spiritual_a authority_n and_o high_o reverence_v and_o value_v their_o sacred_a function_n we_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o many_o such_o as_o little_a regard_n the_o holiness_n of_o our_o office_n or_o the_o infinite_a benefit_n that_o may_v accrue_v unto_o they_o by_o our_o ministry_n or_o the_o dreadful_a censure_n which_o christ_n have_v empower_v his_o deputy_n on_o earth_n on_o good_a occasion_n to_o denounce_v against_o they_o they_o have_v their_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n immediate_o teach_v they_o by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o we_o gain_v we_o only_o by_o the_o ordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o our_o hard_a study_n prayer_n and_o tedious_a meditation_n in_o their_o day_n the_o zeal_n of_o the_o church_n be_v fresh_a fervent_a and_o burn_v whereas_o we_o live_v in_o the_o latter_a and_o perilous_a time_n wherein_o the_o love_n of_o many_o be_v waxen_a lukewarm_a and_o cold_a and_o when_o man_n be_v become_v lover_n of_o themselves_o more_o than_o lover_n of_o god_n in_o those_o day_n both_o pastor_n and_o people_n do_v general_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n out_o of_o choice_n love_v to_o god_n and_o principle_n of_o conscience_n but_o now_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v too_o many_o may_v do_v it_o out_o of_o custom_n and_o interest_n and_o mere_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o fashion_n of_o the_o world_n then_o the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n be_v choose_v for_o their_o extraordinary_a gift_n and_o zeal_n above_o other_o now_o through_o the_o corruption_n that_o creep_v into_o the_o church_n by_o little_a and_o little_a they_o be_v too_o frequent_o put_v in_o not_o for_o their_o worth_n but_o according_a to_o the_o interest_n and_o friend_n they_o can_v make_v among_o the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o world_n be_v they_o better_o or_o worse_o they_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o a_o select_a company_n of_o person_n who_o be_v near_o and_o deep_o concern_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o lord_n and_o the_o success_n of_o his_o minister_n labour_n but_o now_o we_o since_o the_o world_n be_v come_v into_o the_o church_n especial_o in_o the_o loose_a state_n of_o affair_n that_o we_o be_v at_o present_a in_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o a_o multitude_n of_o formal_a professor_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n whereof_o few_o have_v a_o sincere_a zeal_n for_o the_o thrive_a of_o it_o and_o many_o be_v secret_a enemy_n to_o the_o establish_n of_o it_o

more_o which_o occasion_v that_o sharp_a contention_n and_o division_n which_o happen_v betwixt_o st._n barnabas_n and_o he_o that_o we_o read_v of_o act._n 15.39_o and_o demas_n quite_o forsake_v his_o ministry_n for_o the_o love_n of_o this_o present_a world_n 2_o tim_n 4.10_o we_o read_v also_o that_o there_o be_v some_o defect_n in_o most_o of_o the_o seven_o angel_n i._n e._n the_o seven_o bishop_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n rev._n chap._n 2.3_o and_o very_o gross_a fail_n in_o those_o two_o of_o sardis_n and_o laodicea_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o strange_a of_o all_o be_v that_o this_o very_a timothy_n who_o st._n paul_n make_v his_o special_a exception_n in_o this_o place_n be_v general_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o person_n who_o christ_n himself_o write_v to_o and_o reprove_v by_o st._n john_n for_o have_v forsake_v his_o first_o love_n rev._n 2.1_o for_o the_o historian_n do_v most_o agree_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o that_o time_n and_o when_o he_o be_v censure_v for_o forsake_v his_o first_o love_n the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o he_o have_v quite_o lose_v his_o charity_n and_o love_n to_o christ_n but_o that_o he_o have_v abate_v of_o his_o first_o zeal_n for_o his_o honour_n through_o the_o manifold_a temptation_n great_a difficulty_n and_o danger_n he_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o office_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n unlikely_a to_o happen_v to_o a_o person_n of_o so_o great_a virtue_n and_o holiness_n as_o he_o be_v but_o now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o as_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o special_a consideration_n and_o admonition_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o christ_n church_n throughout_o all_o generation_n for_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o this_o very_a holy_a timothy_n himself_o who_o st._n paul_n here_o so_o high_o commend_v and_o distinguish_v do_v afterward_o in_o some_o measure_n fall_v under_o the_o same_o censure_n with_o the_o rest_n and_o that_o he_o do_v more_o than_o be_v fit_v seek_v his_o own_o not_o the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o if_o together_o with_o the_o subtlety_n of_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n we_o consider_v the_o strange_a moveableness_n deceitfulness_n and_o inconstancy_n of_o man_n nature_n and_o the_o many_o unexpected_a difficulty_n surprise_v accident_n and_o temptation_n he_o be_v continual_o subject_a to_o while_o he_o be_v in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o our_o most_o natural_a inclination_n be_v enemy_n to_o we_o when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o great_a danger_n it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v extreme_o marvellous_a if_o the_o best_a and_o holy_a of_o man_n shall_v degenerate_v by_o degree_n or_o fall_v sudden_o from_o a_o state_n of_o some_o eminency_n and_o perfection_n in_o holiness_n but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o such_o as_o these_o be_v in_o a_o great_a likelihood_n than_o other_o to_o repent_v and_o recover_v themselves_o again_o upon_o some_o special_a admonition_n or_o other_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o question_n but_o that_o bishop_n timothy_n do_v return_v to_o his_o former_a love_n and_o zeal_n for_o christ_n upon_o the_o reproof_n that_o be_v give_v he_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a to_o mention_v the_o many_o complaint_n that_o be_v make_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o great_a fail_n that_o be_v record_v in_o his_o word_n of_o the_o priest_n under_o the_o law_n and_o it_o will_v be_v endless_a and_o nauseous_a to_o reckon_v up_o the_o defect_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n grievous_a likewise_o be_v the_o complaint_n that_o be_v make_v of_o the_o clergy_n of_o their_o own_o time_n by_o such_o holy_a man_n as_o st._n chrysostom_n s._n salvian_n gregory_n the_o great_a st._n bernard_n petrarch_n and_o many_o other_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o remarkable_a of_o this_o kind_n than_o what_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o little_a work_n of_o our_o own_o countryman_n gildas_n for_o it_o be_v a_o most_o dismal_a account_n that_o he_o give_v of_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o british_a clergy_n a_o little_a before_o this_o island_n be_v over_o run_v and_o destroy_v by_o the_o saxon_n but_o i_o shall_v wave_v all_o these_o and_o such_o like_a ungrateful_a matter_n and_o proceed_v to_o make_v but_o two_o observation_n from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v on_o this_o second_o general_n 1._o we_o may_v hence_o observe_v how_o very_o apt_a man_n nature_n be_v to_o degenerate_a and_o swerve_v from_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o how_o difficult_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v for_o we_o constant_o and_o due_o to_o attend_v to_o spiritual_a thing_n i._n e._n to_o the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n yet_o the_o very_a observe_n how_o constant_o all_o order_n and_o society_n of_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o fall_v away_o from_o the_o wise_a and_o pious_a law_n and_o strict_a rule_n give_v they_o by_o their_o first_o former_n and_o founder_n be_v enough_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o it_o and_o the_o body_n of_o man_n be_v scarce_o more_o apt_a to_o corrupt_v and_o turn_v noy_n some_o after_o their_o soul_n be_v depart_v from_o they_o than_o their_o mind_n be_v to_o alter_v and_o be_v corrupt_v if_o they_o be_v not_o careful_o watch_v and_o continual_o season_v with_o god_n grace_n but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v obtain_v but_o by_o the_o use_n of_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o cultivate_v our_o soul_n and_o to_o preserve_v and_o renew_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o they_o hence_o appear_v the_o necessity_n of_o read_v hear_v meditate_v and_o take_v a_o account_n of_o our_o own_o action_n inward_a as_o well_o as_o outward_a the_o frequent_a and_o serious_a confession_n of_o our_o sin_n constant_a prayer_n and_o the_o often_o renew_v of_o our_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o by_o the_o frequent_a and_o due_a use_n of_o such_o holy_a exercise_n as_o these_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v season_v with_o god_n spirit_n as_o all_o the_o sacrifice_n be_v to_o be_v season_v with_o salt_n under_o the_o law_n leu._n 2.13_o and_o by_o the_o due_a use_n of_o these_o mean_n we_o shall_v always_o have_v spiritual_a salt_n in_o ourselves_o as_o christ_n admonish_v we_o of_o the_o clergy_n especial_o to_o have_v mar._n 9.50_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o present_v our_o soul_n and_o body_n as_o sound_v and_o live_a sacrifice_n which_o be_v the_o reasonable_a service_n which_o god_n now_o require_v of_o we_o under_o the_o gospel_n rom._n 12.1_o and_o all_o our_o action_n and_o speech_n will_v become_v sound_a and_o savoury_a according_a to_o the_o apostle_n advice_n col._n 4.6_o and_o tit._n 2.8_o but_o if_o these_o exercise_n be_v perform_v after_o a_o dead_a careless_a and_o lifeless_a manner_n they_o will_v be_v but_o like_o dead_a salt_n neither_o that_o have_v lose_v its_o saltness_n and_o they_o will_v not_o afford_v virtue_n enough_o to_o season_v ourselves_o and_o our_o own_o service_n much_o less_o will_v they_o fit_v we_o to_o season_v other_o therefore_o it_o shall_v ever_o be_v remember_v that_o we_o be_v every_o way_n and_o on_o all_o account_n so_o liable_a to_o degenerate_v and_o to_o be_v corrupt_v without_o a_o continual_a and_o strict_a watch_n over_o ourselves_o that_o even_o those_o which_o shall_v be_v our_o best_a and_o choice_a service_n may_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n that_o they_o may_v become_v offensive_a and_o loathsome_a to_o he_o and_o we_o must_v ever_o take_v it_o for_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n such_o as_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n do_v not_o natural_o breed_v in_o or_o grow_v up_o out_o of_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n but_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o they_o must_v first_o be_v sow_o by_o god_n husbandry_n and_o that_o they_o must_v be_v continual_o cherish_v and_o water_v by_o man_n care_n and_o industry_n together_o with_o the_o continue_a influence_n of_o god_n spirit_n which_o he_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o give_v to_o such_o as_o right_o use_v the_o mean_n that_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o make_v proper_a to_o those_o purpose_n nay_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v not_o only_o bear_v a_o stranger_n to_o all_o spiritual_a object_n and_o divine_a revelation_n but_o there_o be_v also_o in_o we_o by_o nature_n a_o great_a averseness_n to_o all_o such_o holy_a disposition_n from_o whence_o the_o habit_n of_o christian_a grace_n be_v to_o arise_v and_o by_o which_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v form_v