Selected quad for the lemma: sense_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A66025
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A discourse concerning the beauty of providence in all the rugged passages of it very seasonable to quiet and support the heart in these times of publick confusion / by John Wilkins ...; Sermons. Selections
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Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.
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1649
(1649)
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Wing W2177; ESTC R1664
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26,998
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144
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consider_v we_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o be_v perform_v in_o their_o most_o comely_a order_n and_o best_a opportunity_n as_o for_o the_o two_o first_o particular_n though_o they_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o text_n yet_o be_v they_o more_o express_o handle_v in_o the_o former_a verse_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v they_o over_o without_o any_o further_a enlargement_n insist_v only_o upon_o this_o latter_a as_o be_v more_o direct_o agreeable_a to_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o the_o word_n and_o it_o be_v a_o subject_a that_o in_o many_o respect_n will_v deserve_v your_o more_o especial_a attention_n it_o be_v not_o common_o treat_v of_o and_o beside_o it_o may_v very_o much_o conduce_v to_o our_o contentment_n to_o settle_v our_o heart_n against_o all_o those_o condition_n that_o may_v be_v fall_v we_o in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v of_o very_o general_a use_n and_o concernment_n suitable_a to_o all_o time_n and_o occasion_n for_o time_n of_o suffering_n to_o make_v we_o patient_a and_o submissive_a for_o time_n of_o mercy_n to_o make_v we_o cheerful_a and_o thankful_a in_o brief_a it_o extend_v to_o all_o person_n relation_n business_n season_n nothing_o be_v more_o general_o useful_a than_o this_o to_o have_v our_o heart_n full_o persuade_v of_o that_o wise_a order_n and_o contrivance_n which_o there_o be_v in_o the_o disposal_n of_o every_o particular_a event_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v more_o especial_o seasonable_a for_o time_n of_o trouble_n and_o confusion_n when_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o mistrust_v the_o government_n of_o providence_n as_o if_o he_o do_v neglect_v the_o care_n of_o this_o low_a world_n and_o leave_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o own_o jar_a principle_n then_o i_o say_v it_o be_v more_o especial_o seasonable_a to_o vindicate_v the_o care_n and_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n to_o show_v that_o every_o thing_n which_o god_n do_v be_v best_a and_o consequent_o that_o these_o many_o distraction_n and_o confusion_n under_o which_o we_o suffer_v be_v far_o better_o than_o any_o other_o though_o the_o most_o flourish_a condition_n can_v be_v and_o that_o be_v the_o subject_a i_o be_o now_o to_o insist_v upon_o the_o point_n be_v this_o every_o particular_a event_n be_v propos._n most_o beautiful_a in_o that_o time_n which_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v allot_v to_o it_o a_o truth_n by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o seasonable_a for_o these_o time_n by_o how_o much_o it_o be_v now_o the_o more_o difficult_a to_o believe_v it_o the_o observation_n lie_v plain_o both_o in_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n and_o the_o most_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n the_o scripture_n be_v copious_a in_o other_o proof_n to_o divine_a this_o purpose_n deut._n 32._o 4._o his_o work_n be_v perfect_a and_o his_o way_n be_v judgement_n a_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o without_o iniquity_n just_a and_o right_o not_o only_o his_o first_o work_n of_o creation_n be_v exact_o good_a and_o perfect_a but_o his_o way_n of_o providence_n also_o be_v dispose_v with_o judgement_n and_o righteousness_n so_o again_o isa._n 28._o 29._o the_o lord_n of_o host_n be_v wonderful_a 19_o in_o counsel_n and_o excellent_a in_o work_v that_o be_v every_o event_n of_o providence_n be_v manage_v and_o preordain_v by_o a_o admirable_a wisdom_n and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o excellent_a contrivance_n and_o again_o dan._n 2._o 20_o 21._o wisdom_n and_o might_n be_v his_o he_o change_v the_o time_n and_o the_o season_n he_o remove_v king_n and_o he_o set_v up_o king_n those_o two_o attribute_n of_o strength_n and_o wisdom_n 5._o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n put_v together_o in_o scripture_n god_n never_o show_v any_o argument_n of_o his_o strength_n but_o his_o wisdom_n be_v engage_v in_o it_o also_o those_o great_a alteration_n and_o subversion_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n do_v not_o more_o demonstrate_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o power_n in_o the_o do_n of_o they_o than_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o wisdom_n in_o dispose_v of_o they_o for_o the_o best_a and_o again_o psal._n 104._o 24._o o_o lord_n how_o manifold_a be_v thy_o work_n in_o wisdom_n have_v thou_o make_v they_o all_o the_o earth_n be_v full_a of_o thy_o riches_n which_o be_v as_o well_o true_a of_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n as_o of_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n but_o this_o truth_n be_v more_o direct_o intimate_v by_o that_o vision_n of_o ezekiel_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n wherein_o he_o do_v express_v how_o all_o event_n in_o the_o world_n be_v wise_o dispose_v of_o by_o the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o providence_n the_o scope_n of_o that_o vision_n be_v to_o confirm_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o be_v to_o foretell_v because_o god_n himself_o by_o who_o he_o be_v inspire_v have_v such_o a_o special_a influence_n in_o the_o orderly_a manage_n of_o all_o inferior_a event_n though_o matter_n may_v seem_v to_o run_v upon_o wheel_n as_o we_o say_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o course_n without_o any_o special_a guidance_n to_o go_v at_o random_n yet_o these_o wheel_n have_v eye_n in_o they_o v._n 18._o that_o be_v there_o be_v the_o eye_n of_o providence_n which_o direct_v they_o in_o their_o revolution_n 3_o and_o then_o beside_o these_o wheel_n be_v likewise_o govern_v by_o the_o four_o live_a creature_n that_o 10._o be_v by_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n who_o be_v fit_v for_o all_o their_o service_n with_o four_o remarkableendowment_n 1._o with_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n typify_v in_o that_o vision_n by_o the_o face_n of_o a_o man_n 2._o courage_n and_o resolution_n the_o face_n of_o a_o lion_n 3._o sedulity_n and_o diligence_n the_o face_n of_o a_o ox_n 4._o swiftness_n and_o dispatch_n the_o face_n of_o a_o eagle_n in_o all_o which_o the_o prophet_n do_v at_o large_a explain_v unto_o we_o with_o what_o deliberate_a care_n and_o forecast_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v dispose_v of_o all_o these_o inferior_a event_n this_o truth_n may_v yet_o be_v further_o evidence_v from_o testimony_n the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o heathen_a hence_o be_v it_o that_o the_o ancient_n do_v set_v forth_o their_o god_n with_o harp_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o show_v the_o harmony_n they_o observe_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o vet._n midâ—â—_n be_v condemn_v to_o wear_v ass_n ear_n because_o he_o prefer_v pan_n pipe_n before_o apollo_n lute_n human_a policy_n before_o divine_a providence_n nay_o the_o devil_n himself_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o wisdom_n and_o seasonableness_n of_o divine_a proceed_n and_o therefore_o will_v fain_o have_v shelter_v himself_o under_o this_o pretence_n matth._n 8._o 29._o be_v thou_o come_v to_o torment_v we_o before_o our_o time_n imply_v that_o it_o will_v not_o become_v the_o god_n of_o order_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n untimely_a and_o doubtless_o that_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o evident_a and_o a_o great_a truth_n which_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o so_o great_a a_o liar_n for_o the_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o let_v we_o a_o little_a consider_v some_o of_o those_o rugged_a passage_n of_o providence_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v perform_v with_o the_o great_a negligence_n and_o deformity_n look_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o joseph_n he_o be_v you_o example_n know_v one_o of_o the_o promise_a seed_n concerning_o who_o god_n have_v foretell_v a_o superiority_n and_o dominion_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o family_n now_o that_o after_o this_o he_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o the_o treachery_n of_o his_o malicious_a brethren_n that_o beside_o his_o nearness_n to_o slaughter_n from_o their_o hand_n he_o shall_v be_v sell_v into_o a_o far_a country_n whence_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n ever_o to_o hear_v of_o he_o again_o that_o there_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o endanger_v by_o the_o rage_n of_o a_o lustful_a woman_n and_o suffer_v so_o tedious_a and_o unjust_a a_o imprisonment_n all_o this_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o oversight_n and_o neglect_n of_o providence_n as_o if_o it_o have_v forget_v that_o promotion_n which_o joseph_n be_v design_v to_o and_o yet_o do_v but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o story_n and_o you_o shall_v find_v how_o all_o these_o misfortune_n do_v mighty_o conduce_v not_o only_o to_o his_o advancement_n but_o alto_fw-mi to_o the_o safety_n and_o preservation_n of_o that_o whole_a family_n which_o be_v then_o the_o visible_a church_n so_o that_o if_o each_o of_o his_o brethren_n have_v give_v he_o as_o much_o money_n as_o they_o sell_v he_o for_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o great_a a_o kindness_n as_o he_o receive_v from_o their_o intend_a cruelty_n it_o be_v a_o elegant_a gloss_n of_o st._n gregory_n upon_o this_o story_n divino_fw-la judicio_fw-la quod_fw-la declinare_fw-la conati_fw-la sunt_fw-la renitendo_fw-la
that_o be_v those_o conceal_a providence_n which_o we_o do_v not_o discern_v the_o reason_n of_o be_v of_o much_o great_a proportion_n than_o those_o that_o appear_v we_o read_v in_o that_o forecited_a place_n ezek._n 1._o 16._o of_o a_o wheel_n within_o a_o wheel_n signify_v those_o involution_n and_o intricacy_n which_o there_o be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o that_o his_o way_n be_v in_o the_o sea_n and_o his_o path_n in_o the_o great_a water_n and_o his_o footstep_n be_v not_o know_v psal._n 77._o 19_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n where_o there_o be_v many_o common_a thing_n of_o excellent_a beauty_n which_o for_o their_o littleness_n do_v not_o fall_v under_o our_o sense_n they_o that_o have_v experiment_v the_o use_n of_o microscope_n can_v tell_v how_o in_o the_o part_n of_o the_o most_o minute_n creature_n there_o may_v be_v discern_v such_o gilding_n and_o embroidery_n and_o such_o curious_a variety_n as_o another_o will_v scarce_o believe_v why_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n there_o be_v very_o many_o passage_n of_o frequent_a daily_a occurrence_n who_o excellent_a contrivance_n do_v not_o fall_v under_o our_o sense_n or_o observation_n 2._o our_o own_o ignorance_n and_o short_a sightedness_n and_o that_o in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n 1._o we_o can_v see_v that_o end_n and_o drift_n which_o providence_n aim_v at_o in_o many_o particular_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n though_o they_o seem_v unto_o we_o rude_a and_o uncomely_a we_o measure_v thing_n by_o this_o false_a balance_n of_o opinion_n which_o weigh_v only_o their_o outside_n and_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o their_o end_n and_o relation_n now_o the_o beauty_n of_o thing_n do_v consist_v much_o in_o their_o tendency_n and_o reference_n to_o their_o proper_a end_n if_o a_o ignoraut_v man_n that_o know_v not_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o windmill_n or_o water-mill_n shall_v look_v upon_o they_o only_o as_o place_n of_o habitation_n he_o can_v think_v they_o well_o situate_v where_o they_o be_v so_o much_o expose_v to_o the_o violence_n of_o wind_n and_o wave_n whereas_o he_o that_o understand_v how_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o artificer_n have_v contrive_v those_o motion_n unto_o useful_a end_n must_v needs_o confess_v a_o beauty_n and_o comeliness_n in_o the_o work_n it_o be_v so_o likewise_o in_o the_o event_n of_o providence_n which_o none_o can_v right_o apprehend_v but_o he_o that_o understand_v the_o special_a drift_n and_o purpose_n which_o they_o be_v design_v to_o 2._o we_o can_v see_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o thing_n how_o sundry_a particular_a event_n in_o a_o mutual_a relation_n do_v concur_v to_o make_v up_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o whole_a he_o that_o can_v discern_v only_o two_o or_o three_o wheel_n in_o a_o clock_n how_o they_o move_v one_o against_o another_o will_v present_o think_v that_o there_o be_v contrariety_n and_o confusion_n in_o the_o work_n whereas_o he_o that_o behold_v the_o whole_a frame_n and_o discern_v how_o all_o those_o divers_a motion_n do_v joint_o conduce_v to_o the_o same_o end_n can_v choose_v but_o acknowledge_v a_o wise_a order_n in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o it_o so_o likewise_o be_v it_o in_o the_o frame_n of_o time_n where_o he_o alone_o be_v fit_a to_o judge_v of_o particular_n who_o understand_v how_o they_o refer_v to_o the_o general_a but_o now_o we_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o know_v nothing_o because_o our_o day_n upon_o earth_n be_v as_o a_o shadow_n say_v bildad_n job_n 8._o 9_o we_o look_v upon_o thing_n according_a to_o a_o short_a succession_n and_o so_o be_v not_o able_a to_o discern_v that_o beauty_n which_o there_o be_v in_o their_o reference_n to_o other_o matter_n a_o far_o of_o but_o now_o to_o god_n a_o 8._o thousand_o year_n be_v but_o as_o one_o day_n he_o behold_v all_o thing_n whether_o past_a or_o to_o come_v in_o the_o same_o instant_n there_o be_v no_o succession_n in_o eternity_n but_o all_o thing_n within_o the_o reach_n of_o time_n be_v present_a unto_o that_o though_o in_o the_o revolution_n of_o a_o wheel_n there_o be_v a_o mutual_a succession_n betwixt_o the_o part_n contain_v in_o it_o yet_o a_o eye_n that_o be_v place_v without_o can_n at_o the_o same_o time_n discern_v the_o whole_a motion_n thus_o also_o be_v it_o in_o the_o revolution_n of_o time_n where_o though_o there_o be_v a_o mutual_a succession_n betwixt_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v contain_v under_o time_n yet_o god_n who_o be_v without_o and_o above_o it_o do_v at_o the_o same_o view_n behold_v all_o together_o so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n though_o many_o thing_n seem_v beautiful_a to_o he_o which_o to_o we_o who_o be_v so_o shortsighted_a may_v appear_v harsh_a and_o deform_a 2._o the_o second_o query_n be_v this_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o overrule_a providence_n which_o do_v dispose_v of_o all_o to_o the_o best_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o sinful_a action_n in_o the_o world_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v two_o thing_n 1._o when_o man_n thwart_o god_n will_n of_o precept_n they_o serve_v his_o will_n of_o providence_n those_o particular_a interst_n of_o gain_n honour_n pleasure_n revenge_n which_o sway_v man_n desire_n and_o action_n be_v wise_o contrive_v to_o the_o promote_n of_o god_n decree_n and_o glory_n when_o augustus_n make_v the_o general_a tax_n upon_o the_o world_n his_o end_n be_v to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o fill_v his_o coffer_n but_o god_n use_v it_o as_o a_o mean_n to_o fulfil_v the_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n birth_n at_o bethlehem_n rehoboam_n and_o jehu_n and_o cyrus_n have_v all_o their_o several_a aim_n in_o those_o work_n wherein_o they_o be_v subservient_n to_o providence_n and_o they_o do_v still_o accomplish_v his_o counsel_n in_o prosecute_v their_o own_o design_n 2._o that_o which_o in_o respect_n of_o man_n execution_n be_v wicked_a and_o disorderly_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n appointment_n be_v beautiful_a and_o comely_a there_o can_v not_o be_v any_o more_o horrid_a act_n than_o the_o betray_v and_o crucify_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o yet_o even_o in_o this_o as_o it_o be_v decree_v by_o the_o determinate_a counsel_n and_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n act._n 2._o 23._o there_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n that_o ever_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o creature_n such_o depth_n of_o policy_n which_o all_o the_o subtlety_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n be_v not_o able_a to_o contrive_v no_o nor_o to_o suspect_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o as_o the_o apostle_n call_v it_o ephes._n 3._o 10._o interchangeable_a wisdom_n of_o curious_a variety_n as_o the_o word_n signify_v now_o if_o god_n can_v thus_o manage_v the_o worst_a action_n of_o man_n to_o the_o best_a advantage_n of_o man_n well_o than_o may_v we_o conclude_v that_o every_o event_n of_o providence_n be_v beautiful_a in_o its_o time_n i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o explication_n and_o confirmation_n application_n of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o application_n it_o may_v be_v useful_a for_o these_o lesson_n 1._o for_o information_n and_o that_o in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n information_n 1._o it_o may_v teach_v we_o our_o duty_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o observe_v the_o work_n of_o providence_n 2._o it_o may_v direct_v we_o what_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o these_o time_n under_o which_o we_o be_v fall_v 1._o if_o all_o the_o event_n of_o providence_n be_v so_o wise_o contrive_v it_o be_v certain_o then_o our_o duty_n to_o consider_v and_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o psal._n 111._o 2._o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v great_a seek_v out_o of_o all_o they_o that_o have_v pleasure_n therein_o and_o again_o v._n 4._o he_o have_v so_o do_v his_o marvellous_a work_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v have_v in_o remembrance_n now_o a_o man_n can_v be_v say_v to_o seek_v out_o or_o to_o remember_v that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o careful_o observe_v it_o be_v the_o chief_a scope_n of_o that_o psalm_n to_o excite_v man_n unto_o this_o duty_n and_o david_n make_v it_o a_o note_n of_o piety_n for_o man_n to_o delight_v themselves_o in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o god_n work_n to_o remember_v he_o in_o his_o way_n as_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n speak_v this_o asaph_n 5._o find_v by_o experience_n to_o be_v a_o special_a antidote_n against_o all_o diffidence_n and_o carnal_a fear_n in_o the_o 77._o psalm_n when_o he_o be_v surprise_v 9_o with_o those_o sad_a thought_n will_v the_o lord_n cast_v we_o off_o for_o ever_o and_o will_v he_o be_v no_o more_o entreat_v hatb_n god_n forget_v to_o be_v gracious_a etc._n etc._n he_o present_o apply_v himself_o to_o this_o remedy_n v._n 11_o 12._o i_o will_v remember_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n sure_o i_o will_v remember_v thy_o