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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n flesh_n life_n spiritual_a 7,689 5 7.0313 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A52426 Practical discourses upon several divine subjects written by John Norris. Norris, John, 1657-1711. 1691 (1691) Wing N1257; ESTC R26881 131,759 372

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quite_o dissolve_v swallow_v up_o and_o lose_v in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o the_o supreme_a good_a upon_o which_o consideration_n well_o may_v the_o psalmist_n say_v when_o i_o be_o in_o heaviness_n i_o will_v 77.3_o think_v upon_o god_n he_o may_v have_v think_v upon_o his_o royal_a greatness_n and_o the_o pomp_n and_o magnificence_n of_o his_o court_n or_o upon_o his_o riches_n or_o upon_o his_o friend_n or_o upon_o his_o victory_n and_o triumph_n or_o if_o none_o of_o these_o will_v do_v he_o may_v have_v take_v his_o harp_n into_o his_o hand_n and_o have_v drive_v away_o the_o evil_a spirit_n of_o melancholy_n by_o music_n from_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v before_o from_o saul_n but_o he_o have_v a_o better_a expedient_a than_o all_o this_o when_o i_o be_o in_o heaviness_n i_o will_v think_v upon_o god_n nor_o be_v this_o all_o for_o shall_v we_o not_o also_o upon_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o consideration_n despise_v and_o disrelish_v all_o those_o vain_a pleasure_n which_o betray_v we_o into_o sin_n shall_v we_o not_o be_v above_o the_o temptation_n of_o either_o honour_n pleasure_n or_o profit_n shall_v we_o not_o be_v secure_a from_o that_o foolish_a exchange_n which_o those_o that_o pass_v for_o the_o wise_a among_o we_o frequent_o make_v i_o mean_v that_o of_o gain_v the_o world_n and_o lose_v on_o his_o own_a soul_n last_o shall_v we_o not_o endeavour_v by_o all_o mean_v possible_a to_o qualify_v ourselves_o for_o the_o bless_a enjoyment_n of_o this_o supreme_a good_a and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o to_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o filthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n and_o to_o purify_v ourselves_o as_o he_o be_v pure_a yes_o we_o shall_v the_o love_n of_o god_n will_v easy_o constrain_v we_o to_o all_o this_o and_o the_o serious_a application_n of_o our_o
out_o all_o my_o way_n for_o lo_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n in_o my_o tongue_n but_o thou_o o_o lord_n know_v it_o altogether_o and_o again_o whither_o shall_v i_o go_v then_o from_o thy_o spirit_n or_o whither_o shall_v i_o go_v then_o from_o thy_o presence_n if_o i_o climb_v up_o into_o heaven_n thou_o be_v there_o if_o i_o go_v down_o to_o hell_n thou_o be_v there_o also_o if_o i_o take_v the_o wing_n of_o the_o morning_n and_o remain_v in_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o sea_n even_o there_o also_o shall_v thy_o hand_n lead_v i_o and_o thy_o right_a hand_n shall_v hold_v i_o if_o i_o say_v peradventure_o the_o darkness_n shall_v cover_v i_o then_o shall_v my_o night_n be_v turn_v into_o day_n yea_o the_o darkness_n be_v no_o darkness_n with_o thou_o but_o the_o night_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o day_n the_o darkness_n and_o light_n to_o thou_o be_v both_o alike_o why_o now_o this_o we_o all_o know_v and_o if_o formal_o put_v to_o the_o question_n shall_v be_v ready_a to_o confess_v it_o for_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o that_o be_v either_o ignorant_a or_o impudent_a enough_o to_o say_v with_o the_o atheistical_a person_n in_o job_n how_o do_v god_n 22.13_o know_v can_v he_o judge_v through_o the_o dark_a cloud_n thick_a cloud_n be_v a_o cover_v to_o he_o that_o he_o see_v not_o and_o he_o walk_v in_o the_o circuit_n of_o heaven_n no_o we_o know_v the_o contrary_a well_o enough_o that_o god_n be_v present_a every_o where_o and_o see_v and_o know_v every_o thing_n but_o the_o misery_n of_o it_o be_v we_o do_v consider_v it_o and_o it_o be_v for_o want_v of_o actual_o think_v upon_o what_o we_o habitual_o know_v that_o the_o world_n be_v ruin_v it_o be_v this_o that_o make_v so_o great_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o behaviour_n and_o conversation_n of_o one_o man_n and_o another_o all_o believe_v omnipresence_n and_o omniscience_n to_o be_v perfection_n belong_v to_o the_o infiniteness_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n but_o one_o maintain_v actual_a thought_n and_o recollection_n of_o this_o and_o another_o do_v not_o one_o have_v it_o lie_v dormant_a in_o he_o as_o a_o general_a notion_n or_o theory_n which_o he_o can_v talk_v and_o discourse_n of_o now_o and_o then_o when_o occasion_n be_v offer_v and_o the_o other_o have_v it_o always_o actual_o present_a before_o he_o in_o its_o full_a light_n and_o conviction_n whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o though_o both_o agree_v in_o the_o general_a belief_n of_o the_o article_n yet_o because_o one_o attend_v to_o it_o and_o the_o other_o do_v not_o the_o way_n of_o their_o conversation_n be_v altogether_o different_a and_o one_o life_n as_o a_o angel_n and_o the_o other_o as_o a_o devil_n for_o indeed_o be_v this_o one_o consideration_n sufficient_o heed_v and_o attend_v to_o it_o be_v enough_o of_o itself_o to_o regulate_v the_o conduct_n of_o man_n action_n and_o to_o reduce_v the_o whole_a world_n into_o a_o true_a order_n and_o exactness_n of_o live_v there_o be_v indeed_o many_o excellent_a method_n of_o obtain_v virtuous_a and_o religious_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o of_o improvement_n in_o they_o but_o none_o that_o i_o can_v think_v of_o so_o advantageous_a as_o this_o that_o which_o come_v near_a to_o it_o be_v the_o mediation_n of_o death_n but_o indeed_o this_o come_v too_o near_o to_o be_v reckon_v as_o another_o in_o be_v rather_o a_o further_a instance_n and_o improvement_n of_o the_o same_o for_o the_o meditation_n of_o death_n be_v only_o so_o far_o influential_a upon_o our_o life_n as_o it_o be_v a_o near_a and_o strict_a way_n of_o consider_v the_o divine_a presence_n before_o which_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o immediate_o present_v by_o death_n so_o that_o the_o meditation_n of_o death_n as_o far_o as_o it_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o good_a live_n be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n as_o a_o particular_a under_o a_o general_n as_o indeed_o whatever_o be_v good_a in_o any_o other_o method_n of_o holy_a live_n be_v after_o a_o manner_n comprehend_v in_o this_o which_o of_o all_o other_o be_v the_o most_o comprehensive_a and_o compendious_a which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o admonition_n of_o god_n to_o abraham_n i_o be_o the_o almighty_a 17._o god_n walk_v before_o i_o and_o be_v thou_o perfect_a where_o he_o suppose_v such_o a_o connexion_n between_o the_o constant_a attention_n to_o the_o divine_a presence_n and_o perfection_n that_o to_o attain_v the_o latter_a a_o man_n need_v only_o practice_v the_o former_a god_n in_o give_v abraham_n this_o direction_n for_o a_o holy_a and_o a_o perfect_a life_n give_v he_o all_o for_o this_o single_a exercise_n of_o meditate_v upon_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n will_v either_o incline_v a_o man_n both_o to_o the_o desire_n and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o other_o spiritual_a method_n and_o help_n of_o holy_a live_n or_o else_o it_o will_v supply_v the_o room_n of_o they_o so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n who_o desire_v to_o advance_v in_o spiritual_a life_n shall_v happen_v to_o forget_v any_o of_o the_o other_o method_n of_o the_o spirit_n let_v he_o only_o remember_v this_o one_o and_o due_o use_v and_o exercise_v it_o and_o he_o shall_v either_o by_o this_o bring_v the_o rest_n to_o his_o mind_n or_o find_v no_o necessity_n of_o so_o do_v this_o therefore_o may_v well_o be_v reckon_v as_o the_o head_n and_o chief_a of_o all_o spiritual_a exercise_n for_o indeed_o this_o one_o exercise_n draw_v such_o a_o train_n of_o advantage_n after_o it_o as_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o perfect_v the_o man_n of_o god_n and_o complete_a the_o christian._n but_o to_o be_v a_o little_a more_o distinct_a the_o advantagiousness_n of_o this_o practice_n may_v appear_v in_o a_o double_a respect_n first_o as_o it_o be_v a_o general_a counter-charm_n against_o all_o sin_n second_o as_o it_o be_v a_o general_a incitement_n to_o all_o that_o be_v good_a first_o it_o be_v a_o general_a counter-charm_n against_o all_o sin_n for_o as_o sin_n in_o its_o formality_n be_v a_o aversion_n from_o god_n so_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o sin_n do_v at_o last_o resolve_n into_o forgetfulness_n of_o he_o and_o a_o non-consideration_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o inspection_n there_o be_v a_o aversion_n from_o he_o in_o our_o understanding_n before_o there_o be_v any_o in_o our_o will_n and_o the_o latter_a be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o former_a the_o scripture_n represent_v cain_n as_o go_v out_o from_o the_o presence_n 4.16_o of_o god_n after_o he_o have_v sin_v but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a also_o that_o he_o go_v out_o before_o for_o have_v he_o not_o first_o cast_v off_o the_o thought_n of_o god_n presence_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v sin_v and_o the_o same_o may_v true_o be_v say_v of_o all_o other_o sinner_n they_o first_o depart_v from_o god_n in_o their_o thought_n and_o then_o in_o their_o action_n first_o forget_v his_o presence_n and_o then_o their_o own_o duty_n for_o can_v we_o conceive_v any_o man_n so_o stupid_a and_o hardy_a as_o to_o commit_v sin_n when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o actual_o reflect_v upon_o a_o be_v of_o infinite_a holiness_n power_n and_o justice_n look_v upon_o he_o and_o upon_o what_o he_o do_v can_v we_o suppose_v god_n to_o appear_v visible_o to_o we_o when_o we_o be_v in_o private_a this_o we_o must_v needs_o grant_v will_v strike_v we_o with_o serious_a and_o reverent_a apprehension_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v stand_v in_o awe_n and_o not_o sin_n though_o in_o the_o very_a heat_n and_o full_a carrier_n of_o a_o temptation_n and_o why_o shall_v not_o god_n see_v we_o have_v the_o same_o influence_n upon_o we_o as_o our_o see_v god_n without_o question_v it_o will_v and_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o if_o we_o have_v but_o the_o same_o lively_a sense_n of_o it_o and_o be_v equal_o awake_a and_o attentive_a to_o it_o for_o we_o see_v that_o infinite_o less_o than_o this_o will_v restrain_v we_o from_o sin_n the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n nay_o of_o one_o single_a person_n though_o a_o inferior_a though_o a_o slave_n though_o a_o fool_n though_o a_o child_n nay_o even_o the_o very_a eye_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o very_o often_o put_v the_o sinner_n out_o of_o countenance_n and_o make_v he_o defer_v his_o folly_n till_o the_o shade_n of_o night_n and_o shall_v not_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o great_a god_n be_v as_o prevalent_a with_o we_o as_o any_o of_o these_o especial_o consider_v that_o no_o creature_n can_v be_v so_o inward_o present_a with_o we_o as_o the_o creator_n be_v and_o that_o no_o observation_n be_v of_o such_o importance_n and_o consequence_n as_o he_o shall_v not_o then_o his_o presence_n
never_o under_o a_o eclipse_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o in_o part_n but_o as_o they_o always_o receive_v equal_a illumination_n from_o god_n so_o do_v they_o shine_v upon_o their_o will_n with_o a_o equal_a light_n and_o consequent_o they_o must_v needs_o stand_v always_o equal_o affect_v and_o dispose_v to_o what_o be_v good_a as_o appear_v to_o they_o always_o in_o a_o light_n equal_o advantageous_a for_o the_o variety_n and_o changableness_n of_o our_o will_n proceed_v from_o the_o variety_n of_o our_o judgement_n and_o be_v our_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n always_o uniform_a our_o action_n will_v be_v so_o too_o for_o we_o always_o act_v as_o for_o that_o instant_n we_o think_v this_o therefore_o be_v the_o happy_a condition_n of_o angel_n to_o have_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o understanding_n always_o equal_o awake_a and_o in_o full_a illumination_n there_o must_v needs_o be_v also_o a_o constant_a regularity_n in_o their_o wi_n the_o short_a be_v as_o long_o as_o they_o contemplate_v the_o divine_a essence_n they_o can_v divert_v aside_o to_o any_o thing_n irregular_a because_o of_o the_o superlative_a excellence_n of_o the_o divine_a good_a which_o fill_v and_o whole_o engage_v their_o faculty_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o can_v choose_v but_o for_o ever_o to_o contemplate_v and_o herein_o i_o suppose_v must_v be_v place_v that_o happy_a necessity_n the_o holy_a angel_n be_v under_o of_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o of_o persevere_v in_o it_o to_o all_o eternity_n and_o that_o this_o be_v that_o which_o we_o mean_v when_o we_o say_v they_o be_v confirm_v in_o good_a but_o leave_v these_o flame_v excellency_n a_o while_n to_o their_o happy_a and_o noble_a employment_n before_o we_o go_v further_o let_v we_o see_v how_o these_o speculation_n may_v be_v improve_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o our_o practice_n and_o first_o since_o god_n have_v make_v his_o angel_n such_o excellent_a and_o accomplish_a creature_n let_v we_o make_v the_o same_o use_n of_o it_o that_o the_o psalmist_n do_v when_o he_o take_v from_o hence_o a_o occasion_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n praise_v the_o lord_n o_o my_o soul_n say_v he_o and_o then_o mention_v some_o character_n of_o his_o greatness_n he_o add_v he_o make_v his_o 104.4_o angel_n spirit_n and_o his_o minister_n a_o flame_a fire_n indeed_o the_o angel_n be_v the_o great_a occasion_n as_o well_o as_o instrument_n of_o praise_n as_o be_v the_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o divine_a workmanship_n look_v 43.1_o upon_o the_o rainbow_n and_o praise_v he_o that_o make_v it_o say_v the_o son_n of_o sirach_n and_o if_o god_n be_v to_o be_v praise_v for_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o rainbow_n cause_v only_o by_o various_a reflection_n and_o refraction_n of_o the_o globule_n of_o the_o second_o element_n in_o their_o passage_n through_o a_o cloud_n how_o much_o more_o be_v he_o to_o be_v adore_v for_o these_o great_a masterpiece_n of_o his_o art_n these_o closet-draught_n of_o his_o beauty_n second_o we_o may_v take_v a_o caution_n hence_o to_o beware_v of_o that_o voluntary_a humility_n which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o and_o be_v he_o now_o alive_a will_v have_v fresh_a occasion_n give_v he_o to_o condemn_v in_o worship_v angel_n take_v heed_n to_o thyself_o leave_v when_o thou_o lifte_v up_o thy_o eye_n to_o heaven_n and_o seeft_v the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o star_n even_o all_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n thou_o shall_v be_v drive_v to_o worship_v they_o say_v moses_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o 19_o there_o be_v the_o same_o and_o great_a danger_n here_o when_o we_o contemplate_v the_o glory_n of_o this_o other_o heavenly_a host_n for_o however_o through_o envy_n or_o emulation_n we_o usual_o lessen_v and_o disparage_v one_o another_o excellency_n yet_o when_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o creature_n of_o another_o rank_n and_o order_n we_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o opposite_a extreme_a and_o to_o exchange_v detraction_n for_o idolatry_n three_o we_o have_v here_o a_o most_o excellent_a antidote_n against_o pride_n which_o be_v a_o littleness_n of_o mind_n that_o arise_v from_o our_o ignorance_n of_o the_o world_n about_o we_o as_o well_o as_o of_o ourselves_o and_o consequent_o be_v best_a cure_a by_o consider_v what_o excellency_n there_o be_v above_o we_o the_o young_a homebred_a heir_n that_o think_v his_o father_n manor_n a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v send_v abroad_o to_o see_v more_o of_o it_o and_o returns_z home_o cure_a by_o his_o travel_n and_o will_v the_o man_n that_o swell_v and_o look_v big_a upon_o his_o part_n or_o learn_v but_o bestow_v a_o thought_n or_o two_o upon_o the_o perfection_n of_o angel_n i_o dare_v warrant_v he_o his_o plume_n will_v quick_o fall_v and_o that_o he_o will_v never_o find_v in_o his_o heart_n to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o wit_n more_o for_o alas_o what_o be_v we_o to_o the_o angel_n hereafter_o indeed_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o some_o of_o we_o may_v be_v make_v like_o they_o but_o what_o be_v we_o in_o comparison_n now_o they_o excel_v we_o more_o than_o we_o do_v the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n and_o we_o need_v nothing_o else_o but_o this_o one_o consideration_n well_o think_v upon_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o pride_n be_v not_o make_v for_o man._n four_o we_o may_v learn_v hence_o so_o to_o fear_v the_o devil_n as_o to_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o considerable_a adversary_n and_o not_o to_o be_v too_o secure_a in_o our_o best_a condition_n for_o he_o be_v a_o angel_n still_o and_o we_o know_v not_o what_o he_o have_v lose_v by_o his_o fall_n beside_o that_o grace_n and_o goodness_n whereby_o he_o may_v be_v dispose_v to_o help_v and_o befriend_v we_o and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o still_o wrestle_v against_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v we_o to_o provide_v ourselves_o according_o and_o as_o he_o there_o advise_v to_o take_v unto_o we_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n 6._o last_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o imitate_v all_o the_o moral_a and_o imitable_a excellency_n of_o the_o good_a angel_n our_o saviour_n have_v make_v they_o our_o pattern_n in_o his_o prayer_n and_o we_o shall_v make_v they_o so_o in_o our_o life_n by_o endeavour_v to_o perform_v god_n will_n in_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o heaven_n which_o call_v upon_o i_o to_o return_v to_o the_o four_o enquiry_n namely_o how_o far_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o imitate_v this_o pattern_n of_o obedience_n that_o our_o imitation_n of_o it_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n or_o other_o require_v be_v most_o certain_a otherwise_o our_o lord_n will_v never_o have_v teach_v we_o to_o pray_v that_o god_n will_n shall_v be_v do_v on_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o heaven_n but_o how_o far_o be_v the_o question_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o observe_v that_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o angel_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o intensive_o or_o extensively_n or_o in_o other_o word_n either_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o act_n or_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o object_n which_o last_o may_v again_o be_v mean_v either_o of_o the_o kind_n of_o good_a or_o of_o the_o several_a degree_n in_o each_o kind_n this_o be_v premise_v i_o answer_v first_o that_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o the_o intenseness_n of_o angelical_a obedience_n this_o i_o say_v we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o because_o it_o be_v not_o among_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o our_o power_n this_o indeed_o will_v be_v part_n of_o our_o reward_n hereafter_o but_o it_o can_v be_v our_o duty_n here_o and_o therefore_o though_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v god_n ready_o and_o cheerful_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o require_v we_o shall_v do_v it_o with_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o alacrity_n as_o exclude_v all_o imperfect_a motion_n to_o the_o contrary_n it_o be_v not_o require_v while_o we_o be_v a_o compound_v of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n that_o the_o latter_a shall_v be_v whole_o free_a from_o the_o solicitation_n of_o the_o former_a it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o it_o have_v the_o cast_a voice_n and_o prevail_v in_o the_o contention_n and_o so_o much_o indeed_o be_v duty_n and_o therefore_o say_v the_o psaimist_n he_o that_o now_o go_v on_o his_o way_n weep_v and_o 126._o bear_v forth_o good_a seed_n shall_v doubtless_o come_v again_o with_o joy_n and_o bring_v his_o sheaf_n with_o he_o he_o must_v bear_v forth_o good_a seed_n and_o if_o he_o do_v so_o it_o shall_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o he_o that_o he_o go_v on_o his_o way_n weep_v neither_o be_v we_o oblige_v to_o serve_v god_n always_o with_o equal_a height_n of_o devotion_n and_o with_o a_o uniform_a fervency_n of_o mind_n for_o beside_o that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o who_o lead_v the_o most_o