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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n break_a contrite_a heart_n 6,246 5 5.9059 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39261 The necessity of serious consideration, and speedy repentance, as the only way to be safe both living and dying. By Clement Elis, M.A. Rector of Kirkby in Nottinghamshire Ellis, Clement, 1630-1700. 1691 (1691) Wing E566; ESTC R171929 98,541 214

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holiness_n from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n from_o our_o carnal_a self_n to_o god_n but_o only_o a_o change_n of_o our_o security_n into_o fear_n and_o of_o our_o pleasure_n into_o sorrow_n and_o it_o may_v be_v of_o our_o mind_n into_o a_o very_a serious_a resolution_n to_o live_v better_o if_o we_o shall_v live_v any_o long_o and_o that_o mere_o because_o we_o be_v afraid_a that_o we_o shall_v live_v no_o long_o how_o any_o one_o shall_v think_v such_o a_o force_a change_n as_o this_o a_o acceptable_a repentance_n i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o unless_o he_o have_v forget_v not_o only_o his_o bible_n but_o his_o reason_n too_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n as_o useful_a as_o they_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o die_a people_n who_o have_v spend_v their_o day_n in_o wickedness_n and_o i_o think_v they_o be_v enough_o to_o affright_v any_o one_o from_o think_v any_o long_o of_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o a_o deathbed_n repentance_n first_o it_o be_v too_o easy_a to_o observe_v that_o often_o such_o a_o sinner_n conscience_n be_v quite_o dead_a within_o he_o i_o speak_v of_o some_o not_o of_o all_o a_o long_a time_n before_o he_o die_v and_o never_o revive_v again_o so_o long_o as_o he_o live_v he_o be_v give_v up_o to_o a_o reprobate_a mind_n and_o his_o heart_n turn_v to_o stone_n and_o nothing_o that_o shall_v move_v he_o to_o repentance_n can_v make_v any_o impression_n upon_o it_o yea_o it_o be_v somewhat_o a_o rare_a thing_n to_o see_v a_o old_a habitual_a customary_a sinner_n ever_o come_v to_o any_o true_a sense_n of_o religion_n his_o duty_n his_o sin_n or_o his_o danger_n or_o ever_o to_o concern_v himself_o at_o all_o about_o eternity_n even_o upon_o his_o death_n bed_n whatever_o care_n he_o take_v about_o his_o body_n estate_n and_o family_n his_o soul_n seem_v as_o much_o forget_v by_o he_o as_o if_o he_o have_v none_o at_o all_o to_o take_v care_n of_o it_o be_v no_o uncommon_a thing_n to_o see_v a_o old_a sinner_n die_v thus_o unconcern_v what_o shall_v become_v of_o he_o second_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o observe_v in_o some_o of_o these_o die_a person_n who_o seem_v to_o make_v some_o little_a ado_n about_o their_o future_a state_n when_o they_o be_v about_o to_o die_v that_o though_o they_o be_v desirous_a of_o good_a advice_n and_o send_v for_o the_o minister_n to_o talk_v to_o they_o and_o pray_v for_o they_o and_o confess_v to_o he_o some_o few_o of_o their_o most_o notorious_a fault_n yet_o be_v they_o the_o confident_a person_n in_o the_o world_n of_o their_o pardon_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o persuade_v they_o that_o their_o case_n be_v very_o dangerous_a but_o after_o they_o have_v confess_v they_o be_v great_a sinner_n and_o have_v be_v pray_v for_o as_o though_o all_o be_v do_v they_o pass_v off_o the_o stage_n of_o this_o world_n as_o unconcerned_o as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o act_v any_o ill_a part_n thereon_o three_o it_o have_v be_v very_o often_o observe_v that_o those_o of_o they_o who_o in_o some_o very_a dangerous_a sickness_n have_v make_v more_o ado_n than_o ordinary_a have_v cry_v out_o very_o bitter_o of_o their_o past_a wickedness_n and_o folly_n have_v shed_v many_o tear_n and_o pour_v out_o many_o earnest_a prayer_n and_o have_v make_v many_o vow_n to_o god_n and_o promise_v to_o man_n of_o lead_v a_o new_a and_o holy_a life_n if_o god_n will_v restore_v they_o to_o health_n have_v yet_o very_o short_o after_o their_o recovery_n forget_v all_o this_o as_o if_o it_o have_v never_o be_v return_v with_o the_o dog_n to_o his_o vomit_n and_o with_o the_o sow_n that_o be_v wash_v to_o her_o wallow_n in_o the_o mire_n show_v plain_o that_o though_o they_o may_v be_v in_o earnest_n yet_o be_v it_o but_o for_o fear_n and_o how_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o such_o force_a repentance_n four_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o whatever_o else_o these_o old_a and_o harden_a sinner_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v upon_o their_o deathbed_n which_o may_v look_v like_o 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the_o malicious_a and_o cunning_a tempter_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o despair_n so_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o comfort_v they_o and_o in_o vain_a to_o counsel_v they_o their_o own_o long-abused_n conscience_n do_v now_o begin_v to_o revenge_v themselves_o upon_o they_o for_o neglect_v they_o so_o long_o and_o they_o know_v it_o be_v so_o just_a a_o thing_n for_o god_n now_o to_o serve_v they_o as_o they_o have_v serve_v he_o that_o they_o conclude_v it_o in_o vain_a to_o seek_v for_o pardon_n and_o mercy_n he_o that_o stand_v by_o the_o bedside_n of_o these_o old_a sinner_n when_o they_o be_v on_o their_o last_o bed_n may_v easy_o observe_v all_o this_o that_o i_o have_v say_v of_o they_o and_o that_o but_o a_o few_o of_o they_o in_o comparison_n die_v so_o as_o that_o one_o have_v any_o great_a encouragement_n to_o say_v their_o repentance_n be_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o the_o grief_n and_o remorse_n of_o a_o heart_n oppress_v with_o fear_n of_o 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mind_n into_o a_o attentive_a and_o consider_a posture_n and_o then_o second_o a_o lay_v aside_o all_o other_o business_n which_o may_v disturb_v our_o thought_n or_o interrupt_v they_o shun_v all_o distract_n or_o divert_v object_n silence_v all_o troublesome_a affection_n and_o unruly_a passion_n give_v the_o mind_n leave_v to_o do_v its_o own_o work_n it_o must_v not_o be_v let_v to_o run_v at_o random_n upon_o other_o thing_n it_o must_v not_o be_v disturb_v by_o any_o passion_n nor_o confound_v with_o any_o throng_n of_o business_n but_o there_o must_v be_v calm_a within_o and_o a_o quietness_n round_o about_o it_o commune_fw-la with_o your_o own_o heart_n upon_o your_o bed_n and_o be_v still_o say_v david_n psalm_n iu._n 4._o we_o must_v resolve_v to_o be_v deaf_a to_o the_o world_n and_o our_o own_o lust_n if_o we_o will_v consider_v to_o purpose_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v unto_o eternity_n 4._o it_o be_v a_o serious_a and_o earnest_a think_n we_o must_v not_o be_v in_o jest_n or_o indifferent_a in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o weight_n and_o importance_n that_o require_v our_o great_a intention_n care_n and_o diligence_n no_o less_o than_o eternal_a life_n or_o death_n depend_v on_o the_o result_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o self-consultation_n trivial_a matter_n may_v be_v slight_o think_v on_o but_o matter_n of_o moment_n call_v for_o serious_a debate_n and_o hence_o consideration_n be_v usual_o express_v by_o such_o word_n as_o import_v a_o seriousness_n god_n it_o be_v certain_a because_o of_o his_o divine_a perfection_n need_v not_o to_o consider_v of_o any_o thing_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o observe_v the_o behaviour_n of_o man_n in_o order_n to_o reward_n or_o punishment_n as_o though_o he_o be_v consider_v of_o they_o he_o be_v say_v to_o weigh_v ponder_n examine_v or_o try_v etc._n etc._n the_o lord_n weigh_v the_o spirit_n prov._n xvi_o 2._o he_o ponder_v the_o heart_n prov._n xxi_o 2._o the_o way_n of_o 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it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n to_o make_v it_o and_o that_o if_o we_o can_v keep_v ourselves_o from_o all_o evil_a or_o hurt_n yet_o at_o least_o we_o may_v not_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o make_v ourselves_o miserable_a by_o what_o have_v be_v here_o say_v we_o may_v understand_v what_o that_o inconsideration_n be_v which_o god_n complain_v of_o and_o be_v indeed_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o great_a many_o it_o be_v a_o careless_a and_o unthinking_a temper_n of_o mind_n and_o they_o who_o be_v of_o this_o temper_n venture_v bold_o rash_o and_o unadvised_o upon_o any_o thing_n as_o it_o fall_v in_o their_o way_n never_o inquire_v how_o please_a or_o displease_v it_o may_v be_v to_o god_n or_o what_o it_o may_v bring_v upon_o themselves_o in_o the_o end_n they_o review_v not_o what_o be_v past_a to_o find_v out_o wherein_o they_o have_v err_v or_o offend_v and_o what_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o mend_v or_o blot_v out_o and_o undo_v again_o by_o repentance_n they_o think_v not_o wise_o on_o what_o they_o go_v about_o at_o present_a to_o observe_v its_o fitness_n or_o unfitness_n to_o be_v attempt_v or_o to_o do_v it_o by_o a_o right_a rule_n and_o to_o a_o right_a end_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o neither_o do_v any_o hurt_n nor_o lose_v their_o labour_n they_o think_v not_o provident_o on_o the_o future_a what_o either_o must_v or_o may_v come_v so_o as_o to_o prepare_v and_o provide_v as_o they_o ought_v for_o it_o but_o be_v without_o either_o fear_n or_o forecast_v and_o what_o the_o evil_a of_o this_o be_v i_o be_o next_o to_o show_v sect_n ii_o the_o evil_n of_o inconsideration_n it_o be_v so_o visible_a to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o inconsideration_n be_v a_o very_a ill_a thing_n that_o in_o the_o most_o common_a concern_v and_o
but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o we_o shall_v certain_o find_v that_o the_o long_o we_o delay_v the_o great_a will_v the_o work_n be_v and_o then_o whatever_o the_o cause_n be_v that_o now_o persuade_v we_o to_o delay_v it_o they_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o delay_v hereafter_o than_o now_o if_o they_o can_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o neglect_v a_o necessary_a work_n when_o it_o be_v less_o they_o will_v more_o easy_o prevail_v when_o the_o very_a greatness_n of_o the_o work_n seem_v enough_o of_o itself_o to_o dishearten_v we_o from_o go_v about_o it_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v how_o much_o great_a a_o work_n it_o will_v be_v to_o repent_v hereafter_o than_o now_o first_o it_o be_v very_o certain_a that_o the_o long_o we_o have_v neglect_v to_o learn_v the_o will_n of_o god_n the_o more_o we_o have_v to_o learn_v and_o the_o long_o we_o have_v neglect_v to_o do_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n the_o more_o we_o have_v to_o do_v the_o long_o we_o stay_v before_o we_o repent_v the_o more_o sin_n we_o have_v to_o repent_v of_o he_o that_o have_v long_o since_o begin_v his_o work_n and_o have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o it_o will_v not_o hereafter_o find_v so_o much_o to_o do_v as_o he_o that_o have_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o it_o but_o have_v then_o all_o to_o begin_v all_o those_o omission_n and_o neglect_v we_o have_v be_v every_o day_n guilty_a of_o come_v then_o to_o be_v repent_v of_o as_o well_o as_o the_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v neglect_v and_o omit_v as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v and_o all_o this_o labour_n have_v be_v save_v have_v we_o repent_v and_o do_v our_o duty_n in_o due_a time_n we_o every_o day_n sin_n even_o though_o we_o do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v to_o avoid_v it_o which_o yet_o we_o seldom_o do_v and_o every_o day_n we_o ought_v to_o repent_v of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o day_n and_o therefore_o till_o we_o repent_v every_o day_n much_o increase_v the_o labour_n of_o 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in_o sin_n against_o knowledge_n against_o conscience_n against_o the_o good_a motion_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n and_o against_o the_o rebuke_n of_o our_o own_o heart_n the_o delay_n be_v thorough_o wilful_a and_o sin_n be_v free_o choose_v and_o thus_o our_o sin_n become_v as_o great_a as_o can_v be_v and_o be_v a_o strive_v against_o conscience_n a_o resist_a and_o grieve_v of_o the_o spirit_n a_o quench_n of_o its_o holy_a motion_n and_o a_o daily_o fight_v against_o god_n or_o a_o resolute_a maintain_v our_o ground_n against_o he_o and_o must_v not_o all_o this_o make_v repentance_n a_o much_o hard_a work_n than_o otherwise_o it_o may_v have_v be_v how_o much_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o pluck_v up_o two_o or_o three_o weed_n daily_o in_o a_o garden_n as_o we_o perceive_v they_o shoot_v forth_o than_o to_o weed_v one_o that_o through_o neglect_n be_v quite_o overrun_v with_o they_o and_o to_o how_o much_o better_a purpose_n too_o be_v it_o so_o to_o do_v for_o by_o that_o mean_n the_o good_a plant_n have_v liberty_n to_o thrive_v and_o flourish_v whilst_o by_o neglect_n all_o that_o be_v good_a be_v choke_v up_o and_o rare_o turn_v to_o any_o advantage_n so_o much_o easy_a be_v it_o and_o to_o far_o better_a purpose_n and_o advantage_n to_o repent_v early_o than_o late_a when_o one_o have_v go_v on_o but_o a_o few_o step_n in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o will_v not_o then_o turn_v back_o because_o he_o think_v it_o too_o much_o pain_n for_o he_o to_o do_v so_o how_o much_o more_o unwilling_a be_v he_o like_v to_o be_v to_o go_v back_o again_o when_o he_o be_v go_v on_o many_o mile_n he_o that_o be_v afraid_a to_o encounter_v two_o or_o three_o enemy_n at_o present_a will_v hardly_o be_v so_o stout_a afterward_o as_o to_o set_v upon_o a_o army_n of_o many_o thousand_o especial_o when_o by_o his_o delay_n he_o have_v give_v they_o time_n to_o strengthen_v themselves_o and_o this_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v here_o to_o consider_v that_o by_o our_o delay_n we_o suffer_v our_o sin_n to_o grow_v not_o only_o in_o number_n but_o in_o strength_n too_o and_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o repent_v of_o a_o few_o sin_n than_o many_o so_o must_v it_o need_v be_v a_o far_o hard_a task_n to_o conquer_v many_o sin_n in_o their_o full_a strength_n than_o a_o few_o and_o weak_a too_o every_o one_o know_v by_o woeful_a experience_n if_o ever_o he_o have_v attempt_v to_o get_v the_o mastery_n of_o his_o sin_n what_o strength_n every_o sin_n gain_v in_o we_o by_o our_o long_a accustom_v of_o ourselves_o to_o it_o and_o how_o much_o easy_o it_o be_v to_o leave_v off_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o sin_n after_o but_o once_o or_o twice_o commit_v it_o than_o after_o that_o by_o frequent_a commit_v of_o it_o it_o be_v become_v habitual_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n natural_a to_o we_o and_o when_o we_o have_v by_o custom_n bring_v ourselves_o to_o that_o pass_n that_o we_o seem_v to_o ourselves_o to_o stand_v in_o as_o much_o need_n of_o our_o sin_n as_o we_o do_v of_o our_o food_n and_o raiment_n and_o can_v as_o little_o be_v content_a without_o it_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o pluck_v up_o a_o tender_a sprout_n of_o the_o first_o or_o second_o year_n growth_n but_o this_o by_o let_v it_o stand_v and_o grow_v be_v every_o year_n hard_o and_o hard_a to_o do_v and_o at_o last_o when_o it_o be_v become_v a_o strong_a tree_n impossible_a for_o the_o strong_a man_n to_o do_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o quench_v a_o small_a spark_n that_o be_v but_o just_a take_n hold_v of_o the_o thatch_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o extinguish_v the_o fire_n when_o the_o whole_a house_n be_v on_o a_o flame_n it_o may_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o cure_v a_o little_a sore_a at_o first_o but_o it_o will_v be_v more_o hard_a to_o do_v it_o when_o by_o delay_n it_o be_v grow_v into_o a_o hollow_a and_o filthy_a ulcer_n and_o hardly_o possible_a if_o it_o come_v to_o a_o cancer_n or_o a_o gangreen_n how_o strange_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o then_o that_o we_o shall_v delay_v our_o repentance_n the_o only_a cure_n of_o a_o disease_a and_o ulcerous_a soul_n till_o by_o delay_n we_o become_v almost_o past_a possibility_n of_o be_v cure_v can_v the_o ethiopian_a change_n his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n then_o may_v you_o also_o do_v good_a that_o be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a jer._n xiii_o 23._o 3._o as_o our_o work_n by_o delay_n grow_v great_a so_o our_o strength_n for_o such_o a_o work_n grow_v less_o and_o that_o make_v it_o still_o hard_o the_o more_o sick_a a_o man_n grow_v or_o the_o long_o he_o lie_v under_o his_o disease_n the_o weak_a he_o grow_v too_o and_o the_o less_o strength_n he_o have_v to_o help_v himself_o though_o we_o be_v all_o corrupt_a enough_o by_o nature_n and_o as_o we_o be_v so_o of_o ourselves_o by_o much_o too_o weak_a to_o conquer_v any_o lust_n without_o the_o help_n of_o supernatural_a grace_n yet_o our_o give_a way_n to_o our_o natural_a corruption_n and_o our_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o our_o own_o weakness_n make_v we_o still_o weak_a and_o weak_a he_o that_o exercise_v not_o his_o strength_n by_o degree_n lose_v it_o and_o he_o that_o instead_o of_o resist_v his_o enemy_n as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v lay_v himself_o down_o at_o his_o foot_n to_o be_v tread_v upon_o will_v find_v that_o he_o have_v then_o less_o strength_n to_o raise_v himself_o up_o than_o he_o have_v at_o first_o to_o stand_v his_o ground_n in_o like_a manner_n he_o that_o instead_o of_o make_v what_o defence_n he_o be_v able_a stand_v still_o and_o let_v his_o enemy_n give_v he_o wound_v