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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n believe_v divine_a revelation_n 3,126 5 9.6340 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A57062 A sermon preached before the Queen, at White-Hall, on Sunday, Aug. 16, 1691 by Nathanael Resbury ... Resbury, Nathanael, 1643-1711. 1691 (1691) Wing R1132; ESTC R12711 11,474 32

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mr._n resburys_n sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n on_o sunday_n aug._n 16._o 1691._o job_n xxxvi_o 8._o behold_v god_n be_v great_a and_o we_o know_v he_o not_o neither_o can_v the_o number_n of_o his_o year_n be_v search_v out_o these_o word_n be_v part_n of_o a_o long_a discourse_n that_o elihu_n take_v up_o with_o job_n after_o his_o three_o friend_n have_v end_v they_o this_o person_n perhaps_o a_o syrian_a bear_v and_o of_o the_o kindred_n and_o family_n of_o abraham_n though_o of_o young_a year_n than_o the_o other_o three_o yet_o seem_v of_o deep_a judgement_n strong_a reason_n less_o affect_v piety_n and_o one_o that_o frame_v the_o method_n of_o his_o discourse_n to_o a_o better_a design_n as_o he_o have_v ground_v it_o upon_o a_o better_a foundation_n than_o the_o other_o three_o have_v do_v he_o apprehend_v job_n as_o have_v a_o little_a too_o much_o insist_v upon_o his_o own_o innocency_n and_o so_o by_o justify_v himself_o too_o warm_o have_v seem_v to_o glance_v oblique_o upon_o god_n as_o if_o by_o that_o severe_a usage_n of_o his_o providence_n god_n have_v deal_v in_o something_o a_o unjustifiable_a rigour_n with_o he_o the_o part_n therefore_o that_o elihu_n take_v be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o charge_n job_n with_o some_o unknown_a wickedness_n which_o his_o friend_n have_v be_v load_v he_o with_o because_o of_o the_o present_a condition_n they_o see_v he_o in_o but_o to_o justify_v god_n in_o his_o deal_n with_o he_o who_o know_v his_o own_o holy_a end_n and_o design_n in_o all_o though_o man_n be_v not_o able_a reach_n or_o to_o fathom_v they_o my_o text_n be_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n where_o elihu_n be_v set_v forth_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n which_o to_o we_o be_v so_o incomprehensible_a his_o power_n his_o greatness_n his_o eternity_n which_o be_v so_o infinite_o beyond_o the_o reach_n or_o compass_v of_o humane_a understanding_n shall_v keep_v the_o man_n in_o so_o humble_a and_o resign_v a_o sense_n of_o god_n as_o not_o to_o cherish_v the_o least_o irreverent_a thought_n of_o he_o let_v the_o condition_n be_v never_o so_o miserable_a to_o which_o he_o may_v be_v reduce_v in_o the_o word_n we_o have_v lay_v before_o we_o 1._o the_o greatness_n of_o god_n infinite_o surpass_v our_o knowledge_n of_o he_o behold_v god_n be_v great_a and_o we_o know_v he_o not_o 2._o his_o eternity_n not_o to_o be_v bring_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o number_n neither_o can_v the_o number_n of_o his_o year_n be_v search_v out_o by_o both_o which_o be_v intimate_v to_o we_o how_o very_o short_a and_o imperfect_a all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o can_v have_v of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n ought_v to_o be_v esteem_v how_o scanty_a all_o the_o conception_n we_o can_v frame_v of_o his_o majesty_n or_o eternity_n perfection_n infinite_o surpass_v all_o our_o measure_n either_o as_o we_o be_v mortal_a or_o finite_a and_o limit_a creature_n this_o i_o shall_v a_o little_a illustrate_v and_o then_o draw_v some_o useful_a inference_n from_o the_o whole_a 1._o to_o illustrate_v the_o thing_n viz._n how_o infinite_o short_a we_o be_v in_o our_o high_a conception_n of_o god_n while_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n we_o may_v ask_v the_o same_o question_n still_o with_o zophar_n the_o naamathite_n job_n 11.7_o can_v thou_o by_o search_v find_v out_o god_n can_v thou_o find_v out_o the_o almighty_a to_o perfection_n this_o may_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v how_o imperfect_a our_o knowledge_n be_v either_o as_o to_o 1._o the_o divine_a nature_n or_o 2._o his_o decree_n or_o counsel_n or_o 3._o his_o work_n either_o of_o creation_n or_o providence_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o divine_a nature_n it_o be_v some_o demonstration_n how_o incompetent_a humane_a nature_n be_v herein_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o any_o part_n of_o it_o have_v sink_v so_o low_a in_o its_o speculation_n concern_v god_n so_o far_o short_a of_o his_o immense_a and_o boundless_a his_o pure_a and_o invisible_a nature_n as_o not_o only_o to_o make_v god_n of_o man_n and_o adore_v they_o but_o to_o fancy_v a_o divinity_n even_o in_o serpent_n and_o dog_n and_o fish_n the_o trunk_n of_o old_a and_o overgrow_a tree_n in_o leek_n and_o onion_n and_o what_o not_o it_o be_v not_o more_o evident_a still_o be_v we_o to_o look_v among_o the_o wise_a heathen_n who_o make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o their_o profession_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o chief_a good_a who_o after_o they_o have_v raise_v their_o mind_n much_o beyond_o the_o common_a pitch_n of_o man_n of_o that_o age_n yet_o after_o their_o most_o labour_a researche_n have_v be_v fain_o to_o confess_v that_o god_n be_v something_o not_o only_o invisible_a but_o unintelligible_a plato_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o god_n and_o as_o impossible_a it_o will_v be_v to_o express_v he_o or_o communicate_v the_o notion_n of_o he_o when_o once_o find_v out_o so_o xenophon_n god_n etc._n etc._n the_o great_a and_o the_o powerful_a who_o be_v in_o every_o one_o view_n and_o yet_o what_o his_o form_n and_o essence_n be_v be_v evident_a to_o none_o but_o himself_o who_o make_v all_o thing_n clear_a and_o conspecious_a by_o his_o own_o light_n but_o such_o thought_n as_o these_o though_o the_o high_a flight_n among_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n need_v not_o be_v much_o insist_v upon_o for_o we_o may_v observe_v it_o in_o the_o h._n scripture_n where_o god_n have_v condescend_v to_o make_v as_o plain_a revelation_n of_o himself_o as_o he_o think_v fit_a when_o moses_n make_v request_n for_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o his_o nature_n he_o tell_v he_o how_o incompetent_a this_o state_n of_o life_n be_v for_o behold_v or_o know_v he_o aright_o exod._n 33.20_o thou_o can_v not_o see_v my_o face_n for_o there_o we_o not_o man_n see_v i_o and_o live_v that_o be_v thou_o can_v have_v no_o proper_a conception_n of_o my_o nature_n and_o essence_n for_o there_o be_v no_o mortal_a in_o this_o state_n of_o life_n capable_a of_o the_o speculation_n this_o be_v say_v to_o moses_n who_o yet_o be_v blessed_v with_o such_o lintimacy_n that_o it_o be_v say_v god_n speak_v to_o he_o face_n to_o face_n as_o a_o man_n speak_v to_o his_o friend_n exod._n 23.10_o yet_o be_v he_o in_o this_o place_n assure_v that_o this_o distant_a obnoxious_a mortal_a state_n of_o life_n be_v not_o the_o state_n where_o the_o divinity_n be_v please_v to_o make_v any_o adequate_a display_v of_o his_o incomprehensible_a nature_n but_o reserve_v that_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o other_o world_n hence_o be_v god_n please_v so_o far_o to_o consider_v the_o infancy_n and_o childishness_n of_o this_o state_n that_o he_o do_v in_o the_o h._n scripture_n if_o i_o may_v so_o express_v it_o 〈…〉_o he_o attribute_n to_o himself_o what_o be_v most_o fit_v to_o our_o sense_n and_o therefore_o represent_v himself_o by_o hand_n and_o eye_n and_o ear_n by_o all_o the_o shape_n of_o man_n and_o human_a passion_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v infinite_o below_o his_o immenseland_n spiritual_a nature_n to_o which_o no_o mortal_a eye_n can_v approach_v he_o give_v we_o notion_n of_o his_o mercy_n by_o that_o of_o a_o indulgent_a and_o compassionate_a father_n and_o of_o his_o justice_n by_o that_o of_o a_o severe_a and_o impartial_a judge_n and_o of_o his_o power_n by_o that_o of_o a_o crown_v and_o sceptered_a king_n and_o of_o his_o bounty_n by_o that_o of_o a_o liberal_a and_o rich_a housholder_n and_o of_o his_o eternity_n by_o that_o of_o a_o old_a man_n or_o the_o ancient_n of_o day_n all_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o make_v so_o awful_a and_o reverend_a a_o use_n of_o as_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o only_o as_o condescension_n in_o god_n to_o help_v we_o in_o our_o contemplation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n not_o to_o make_v they_o the_o boundary_n and_o limit_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v a_o stand_a argument_n that_o the_o wise_a god_n who_o know_v our_o frame_n know_v how_o incapable_a we_o be_v without_o such_o condescension_n to_o frame_v any_o useful_a or_o comfortable_a idea_n of_o he_o and_o indeed_o so_o far_o be_v we_o owe_v to_o these_o low_a help_n of_o instruction_n that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a where_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v whole_o destitute_a even_o of_o these_o rudiment_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o know_v any_o thing_n agreeable_o of_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o thought_n or_o consciousness_n of_o god_n at_o all_o i_o know_v some_o have_v make_v it_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o atheist_n that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n under_o heaven_n so_o brutish_a no_o part_n of_o mankind_n so_o savage_a but_o they_o have_v natural_o and_o inseparable_o some_o notion_n and_o sense_n of_o
submit_v our_o speculation_n of_o god_n to_o these_o lively_a oracle_n by_o which_o and_o by_o which_o alone_a he_o have_v take_v care_n we_o shall_v know_v any_o thing_n of_o he_o we_o be_v safe_a from_o all_o the_o false_a flight_n of_o superstition_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n enthusiasm_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o all_o the_o wander_a misguide_a opinion_n concern_v god_n on_o every_o hand_n here_o we_o may_v set_v our_o foot_n and_o acquiesce_v in_o what_o we_o certain_o meet_v with_o here_o though_o we_o may_v not_o be_v carry_v into_o those_o height_n to_o which_o some_o vain_a opiniastre_n think_v they_o can_v be_v soar_v or_o though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o mystery_n which_o leave_v our_o reason_n behind_o they_o and_o call_v in_o for_o the_o assistance_n of_o faith_n as_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o certain_a matter_n of_o revelation_n which_o must_v therefore_o be_v true_a because_o reveal_v to_o we_o by_o the_o h._n spirit_n of_o god_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n wherein_o the_o socinian_o have_v seem_v to_o lay_v a_o bar_n against_o themselves_o as_o to_o the_o soundness_n of_o their_o faith_n 1._o the_o loose_a conception_n about_o the_o divine_a inspiration_n of_o the_o h._n scripture_n 2._o their_o apprehension_n that_o they_o must_v believe_v nothing_o which_o their_o own_o reason_n can_v comprehend_v by_o the_o former_a they_o let_v go_v that_o firm_a hold_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v of_o some_o first_o principle_n on_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o rest_n and_o depend_v and_o lay_v themselves_o open_a to_o a_o gradual_a scepticism_n throughout_o the_o whole_a occonomy_n of_o faith_n and_o by_o the_o other_o they_o discard_v all_o mystery_n in_o religion_n and_o will_v pretend_v to_o fathom_v the_o utmost_a depth_n of_o that_o while_o they_o be_v uncapable_a of_o solve_v a_o thousand_o difficulty_n in_o every_o thing_n which_o they_o see_v and_o handle_v and_o converse_v immediate_o with_o hence_o their_o hesitate_v in_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n to_o divine_a justice_n effect_v by_o his_o death_n the_o deep_a and_o unfathomable_a doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o unity_n in_o trinity_n they_o forget_v the_o authority_n that_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n ought_v to_o have_v with_o our_o belief_n and_o that_o where_o our_o reason_n can_v reach_v they_o must_v not_o therefore_o cry_v out_o of_o contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n because_o we_o can_v tell_v what_o be_v contradictory_n or_o what_o be_v impossible_a where_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o thing_n about_o which_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o suspect_v a_o impossibility_n unless_o it_o appear_v contradictory_n to_o something_o that_o be_v plain_o reveal_v it_o be_v therefore_o a_o good_a caution_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o he_o give_v and_o that_o in_o a_o peculiarly_a smart_n turn_v of_o word_n which_o he_o have_v hardly_o use_v more_o than_o this_o one_o time_n throughout_o his_o whole_a writing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o think_v more_o high_o than_o he_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v sober_o rom._n 21.3_o let_v this_o be_v the_o measure_n we_o take_v in_o all_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n first_o to_o satisfy_v ourselves_o that_o this_o or_o that_o thing_n be_v unquestionable_o reveal_v and_o then_o how_o insuperable_a soever_o the_o difficulty_n may_v seem_v that_o attend_v it_o not_o to_o perplex_v ourselves_o in_o nice_o unfolding_a they_o but_o give_v reason_n only_o the_o scope_n of_o argue_v the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v what_o be_v reveal_v and_o after_o submit_v the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o it_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o will_v infinite_o endear_v to_o we_o the_o h._n scripture_n wherein_o we_o know_v be_v contain_v the_o whole_a compass_n of_o knowledge_n concern_v god_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o aspire_v after_o in_o this_o world_n ii_o we_o may_v hence_o also_o infer_v how_o reasonable_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o we_o to_o love_v one_o another_o in_o some_o difference_n of_o thought_n and_o opinion_n while_o we_o be_v on_o this_o side_n heaven_n our_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v scanty_a and_o imperfect_a and_o in_o our_o imperfect_a way_n of_o think_v it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a not_o to_o think_v different_o where_o therefore_o any_o difference_n in_o opinion_n have_v no_o influence_n to_o a_o bad_a life_n nor_o disturb_v the_o government_n nor_o lead_v to_o a_o necessity_n of_o throw_v off_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n there_o our_o mutual_a love_n and_o forbearance_n whatever_o else_o be_v be_v a_o most_o undoubted_a command_n iii_o last_v we_o may_v hence_o infer_v how_o just_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o good_a mind_n may_v be_v longing_n after_o that_o state_n where_o their_o knowledge_n of_o god_n may_v be_v advance_v to_o such_o unspeakable_a degree_n suitable_o both_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o capacious_a nature_n of_o our_o soul_n alas_o what_o be_v all_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n but_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n where_o fancy_n chief_o prove_v the_o guide_n to_o reason_n and_o in_o recompense_n to_o all_o its_o travel_n in_o worldly_a knowledge_n give_v it_o little_a other_o satisfaction_n than_o cheat_n and_o delusion_n with_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v the_o wise_a mind_n linger_v and_o trifle_v here_o distant_a from_o home_n and_o a_o stranger_n to_o the_o interest_n and_o affair_n of_o its_o own_o country_n above_o coop_v up_o and_o confine_v to_o a_o place_n where_o so_o little_a light_n be_v converse_v hardly_o with_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o shape_n and_o image_n of_o thing_n which_o a_o trivial_a fancy_n or_o a_o disease_a eye_n be_v frame_v to_o itself_o it_o be_v in_o the_o other_o world_n only_o that_o the_o soul_n can_v bathe_v itself_o in_o the_o pure_a and_o clear_a stream_n of_o rational_a knowledge_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o see_v but_o through_o a_o glass_n dark_o and_o we_o know_v but_o in_o part_n i._n e._n it_o be_v but_o little_o we_o see_v at_o most_o and_o but_o uncertain_o at_o best_a but_o when_o that_o which_o be_v perfect_a be_v come_v then_o that_o which_o be_v in_o part_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o 1_o cor._n 13.9_o 10_o 11_o 12._o then_o as_o to_o the_o nature_n and_o decree_n and_o work_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v see_v all_o face_n to_o face_n and_o know_v even_o as_o we_o be_v know_v v._o 12._o that_o will_v be_v the_o land_n of_o vision_n indeed_o where_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v see_v as_o they_o be_v where_o all_o representation_n shall_v cease_v and_o metaphor_n prove_v useless_a where_o every_o riddle_n shall_v be_v explain_v to_o the_o utmost_a satisfaction_n of_o greedy_a enquirer_n into_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n then_o though_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v so_o boundless_a and_o infinite_a that_o it_o surpass_v the_o thought_n and_o comprehension_n of_o angel_n themselves_o yet_o will_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n so_o far_o comprehend_v the_o nature_n and_o be_v of_o god_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o entertain_v any_o unworthy_a or_o uncomely_a thought_n of_o he_o more_o they_o shall_v never_o frame_v to_o themselves_o any_o mean_a and_o wretched_a image_n of_o god_n but_o shall_v see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v and_o that_o so_o substantial_o and_o so_o much_o in_o reality_n that_o the_o very_a sight_n will_v in_o some_o measure_n transform_v they_o into_o his_o image_n and_o make_v they_o like_o he_o who_o they_o thus_o view_v so_o s._n john_n tell_v we_o behold_v now_o we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n 1_o joh._n 3.2_o and_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o appear_v what_o we_o shall_v be_v but_o we_o know_v when_o he_o shall_v appear_v we_o shall_v be_v like_o he_o for_o we_o shall_v see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v we_o shall_v not_o then_o see_v the_o back_n part_v only_o as_o it_o once_o please_a god_n to_o indulge_v to_o moses_n in_o this_o world_n but_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a full_o and_o substantial_o to_o contemplate_v his_o nature_n so_o as_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o as_o a_o most_o sure_a and_o indissoluble_a bond_n of_o eternal_a converse_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o bless_a be_v the_o pure_a in_o heart_n for_o they_o shall_v see_v god_n matth._n 5.8_o and_o as_o they_o shall_v see_v he_o in_o his_o nature_n so_o they_o shall_v see_v he_o in_o his_o decree_n too_o then_o all_o the_o difficult_a knot_n of_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n shall_v be_v untie_v we_o shall_v then_o see_v how_o the_o liberty_n of_o man_n will_n consist_v with_o god_n prescience_n that_o this_o latter_a do_v not_o influence_n the_o former_a as_o to_o a_o necessity_n of_o the_o man_n sin_v and_o undo_n himself_o but_o that_o he_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n and_o first_o mover_n in_o both_o s._n austin_n after_o