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state_n church_n member_n visible_a 2,963 5 9.4470 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
B08803 Several discourses concerning the actual Providence of God. Divided into three parts. The first, treating concerning the notion of it, establshing the doctrine of it, opening the principal acts of it, preservation and government of created beings. With the particular acts, by which it so preserveth and governeth them. The second, concerning the specialities of it, the unseachable things of it, and several observable things in its motions. The third, concerning the dysnoēta, or hard chapters of it, in which an attempt is made to solve several appearances of difficulty in the motions of Providence, and to vindicate the justice, wisdom, and holiness of God, with the reasonableness of his dealing in such motions. / By John Collinges ... Collinges, John, 1623-1690. 1678 (1678) Wing C5335; ESTC R233164 689,844 860

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of_o such_o idol-shepherd_n but_o i_o have_v enlarge_v far_o enough_o upon_o this_o first_o branch_n of_o application_n i_o shall_v be_v short_a in_o the_o other_o 2._o observe_v from_o hence_o both_o the_o felicity_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n 1._o their_o felicity_n and_o dignity_n their_o dignity_n i_o remember_v the_o psalmist_n admire_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n towards_o man_n and_o express_v his_o dignity_n psal_n 8.6_o 7._o thou_o make_v he_o to_o have_v dominion_n over_o the_o work_n of_o thy_o hand_n thou_o have_v put_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o foot_n all_o sheep_n and_o ox_n yea_o and_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n the_o foul_n of_o the_o air_n and_o the_o fish_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o whatsoever_o pass_v through_o the_o sea_n this_o be_v a_o great_a dignity_n of_o man_n that_o god_n have_v subordinate_v all_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n all_o the_o order_n of_o creature_n beneath_o he_o unto_o he_o but_o what_o a_o dignity_n be_v this_o to_o which_o god_n have_v advance_v his_o church_n that_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v as_o it_o be_v put_v under_o their_o foot_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v a_o dominion_n over_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n hand_n in_o creation_n as_o sheep_n and_o neat_a cattle_n and_o foul_n and_o fish_n but_o also_o all_o the_o lord_n work_v of_o providence_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o great_a affair_n of_o state_n shall_v be_v rule_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o good_a of_o this_o little_a flock_n what_o a_o felicity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v within_o this_o hedge_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o this_o body_n of_o people_n i_o mean_v a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n i_o know_v the_o whole_a visible_a church_n as_o i_o have_v before_o show_v you_o be_v under_o
they_o see_v nothing_o of_o god_n in_o these_o effect_n they_o say_v not_o this_o be_v the_o lord_n do_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o marvellous_a in_o their_o eye_n they_o see_v pestilence_n sweep_v away_o city_n and_o family_n fire_n lay_v populous_a city_n waste_v enemy_n break_v in_o upon_o country_n and_o strange_o overrun_v they_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n sweep_v away_o whole_a family_n but_o they_o see_v nothing_o of_o god_n in_o they_o they_o consider_v these_o as_o terrible_a thing_n as_o misfortune_n to_o which_o the_o state_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v subject_v their_o eye_n be_v upon_o the_o visible_a wheel_n that_o turn_v these_o thing_n but_o they_o see_v not_o the_o wheel_n within_o the_o wheel_n the_o psalmist_n call_v to_o we_o to_o come_v and_o behold_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n what_o desolation_n he_o have_v wrought_v in_o the_o earth_n man_n see_v desolation_n wrought_v in_o the_o earth_n but_o they_o see_v they_o not_o as_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o desolation_n wrought_v by_o he_o this_o be_v what_o the_o psalmist_n complain_v of_o and_o for_o which_o he_o pray_v against_o they_o psalm_n 28.4_o 5_o give_v they_o according_a to_o the_o work_n of_o their_o hand_n etc._n etc._n because_o they_o regard_v not_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n nor_o regard_v the_o operation_n of_o his_o hand_n he_o shall_v destroy_v they_o and_o not_o build_v they_o up_o this_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o atheistical_a heart_n to_o see_v great_a change_n and_o not_o to_o see_v god_n in_o they_o the_o heathen_n have_v more_o of_o religion_n than_o this_o come_v to_o i_o remember_v the_o poet_n in_o his_o description_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o troy_n bring_v in_o venus_n take_v aeneas_n of_o his_o metal_n in_o the_o last_o defence_n of_o his_o country_n and_o from_o take_v revenge_n on_o helena_n the_o cause_n of_o it_o by_o show_v he_o the_o god_n at_o every_o corner_n and_o post_n of_o the_o city_n help_v the_o grecian_n to_o fire_v it_o and_o to_o over-turn_a the_o wall_n of_o it_o it_o be_v very_o sad_a that_o among_o christian_n there_o shall_v be_v any_o that_o in_o the_o great_a change_n which_o god_n work_v in_o nation_n city_n family_n can_v see_v the_o great_a and_o live_a god_n at_o work_n and_o use_v creature_n but_o as_o instrument_n in_o his_o hand_n but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o see_v and_o behold_v the_o work_n of_o providence_n high_o useful_a for_o the_o production_n of_o pious_a affection_n and_o such_o act_n of_o duty_n as_o god_n require_v we_o have_v a_o further_a duty_n than_o this_o incumbent_n upon_o we_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o only_o our_o duty_n to_o see_v and_o behold_v but_o wist_o to_o consider_v and_o observe_v these_o thing_n psalm_n 107.43_o whoso_o be_v wise_a will_v observe_v these_o thing_n and_o he_o shall_v understand_v the_o lovingkindness_n of_o the_o lord_n a_o text_n which_o in_o this_o discourse_n i_o shall_v make_v a_o further_a use_n of_o observation_n impli_v the_o application_n of_o 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devour_v the_o man_n that_o be_v more_o righteous_a than_o he_o but_o as_o to_o this_o search_n into_o the_o cause_n of_o divine_a providence_n i_o put_v in_o those_o two_o word_n modest_o and_o humble_o indeed_o god_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o open_a in_o his_o judgement_n sometime_o that_o the_o provocation_n be_v write_v and_o that_o in_o capital_a letter_n in_o the_o front_n of_o the_o punishment_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o sodomite_n the_o egyptian_n the_o benjamite_n saul_n bloody_a house_n haman_n the_o final_a destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n &c_n &c_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v still_o very_a often_o the_o drunkard_n die_v in_o his_o drunkenness_n but_o it_o be_v not_o always_o so_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a this_o enquiry_n therefore_o into_o cause_n must_v be_v modest_a and_o humble_a we_o must_v no_o more_o caecutire_fw-la in_o revelatis_fw-la as_o to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n than_o as_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o we_o see_v a_o bloodthirsty_a and_o deceitful_a man_n not_o live_v out_o half_a his_o day_n a_o dart_n strike_v through_o the_o liver_n of_o the_o adulterer_n these_o be_v open_a thing_n and_o when_o we_o see_v profane_a vile_a wretch_n devour_v those_o that_o be_v more_o righteous_a than_o they_o when_o we_o see_v god_n plague_v man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o heart_n chasten_v they_o every_o moment_n not_o give_v they_o time_n to_o swallow_v their_o spittle_n these_o be_v secret_n of_o divine_a providence_n of_o which_o we_o must_v be_v careful_a that_o we_o pass_v no_o ungrounded_a censure_n yea_o and_o we_o must_v search_v humble_o too_o our_o judgement_n in_o these_o cafe_n will_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o a_o
piece_n upon_o rock_n to_o avoid_v the_o temptation_n cause_v himself_o to_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o mast_n of_o his_o ship_n i_o will_v have_v every_o christian_n heart_n tie_v to_o the_o promise_n as_o to_o his_o mast_n that_o he_o may_v be_v out_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o all_o temptation_n from_o providence_n three_o which_o indeed_o be_v a_o consequent_a of_o this_o resolve_v to_o wait_v upon_o god_n under_o all_o the_o hiding_n of_o his_o face_n i_o call_v this_o a_o consequent_a of_o the_o other_o for_o he_o that_o believe_v make_v not_o haste_n say_v the_o prophet_n this_o be_v the_o church_n resolution_n isa_n 8.17_o i_o will_v wait_v upon_o he_o that_o hide_v his_o face_n from_o the_o house_n of_o jacob._n temptation_n in_o a_o evil_a day_n can_v have_v no_o advantage_n but_o upon_o our_o soul_n precipitancy_n the_o soul_n that_o be_v resolve_v to_o wait_v upon_o god_n have_v much_o defeat_v all_o tempter_n and_o be_v out_o of_o all_o their_o gunshot_n i_o remember_v the_o speech_n of_o the_o three_o child_n to_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n we_o be_v not_o say_v they_o careful_a to_o answer_v thou_o in_o this_o matter_n the_o god_n who_o we_o serve_v be_v able_a to_o deliver_v we_o out_o of_o thy_o hand_n however_o we_o will_v not_o fall_v down_o before_o the_o image_n which_o thou_o have_v set_v up_o if_o he_o will_v not_o present_o deliver_v we_o we_o be_v resolve_v to_o wait_v on_o he_o four_o to_o wait_v must_v be_v add_v prayer_n i_o will_v look_v unto_o he_o for_o he_o will_v hear_v i_o prayer_n be_v the_o catholic_n remedy_n both_o for_o the_o aversion_n of_o any_o judgement_n and_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o any_o mercy_n five_o to_o all_o this_o add_v but_o that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n psalm_n 37.34_o wait_v upon_o the_o lord_n and_o keep_v his_o way_n and_o thou_o shall_v inherit_v the_o promise_n make_v to_o it_o he_o shall_v exalt_v thou_o to_o inherit_v the_o land_n and_o when_o the_o wicked_a be_v cut_v off_o thou_o shall_v see_v it_o but_o i_o shall_v proceed_v no_o further_o in_o this_o discourse_n sermon_n xvi_o psal_n cvii_o 43._o whoso_o be_v wise_a and_o will_v observe_v these_o thing_n even_o they_o shall_v understand_v the_o lovingkindness_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v show_v you_o it_o to_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o god_n people_n to_o observe_v the_o motion_n of_o divine_a providence_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n speak_v of_o in_o this_o text_n and_o show_v you_o what_o a_o great_a indication_n of_o spiritual_a wisdom_n such_o a_o observation_n be_v and_o how_o great_a a_o mean_a to_o make_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o lovingkindness_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o come_v in_o my_o last_o exercise_n to_o commend_v unto_o you_o some_o remarkable_a observation_n concern_v they_o i_o finish_v my_o discourse_n at_o that_o time_n upon_o my_o first_o observation_n without_o any_o further_a preface_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o a_o second_o which_o you_o may_v take_v thus_o observe_v 2._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o word_n both_o of_o promise_n and_o of_o threaten_v do_v ordinary_o fulfil_v the_o first_o when_o the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v at_o the_o low_a and_o the_o latter_a when_o his_o enemy_n be_v at_o the_o high_a i_o shall_v handle_v this_o in_o the_o same_o method_n as_o i_o do_v the_o other_o speak_v to_o it_o short_o 1._o by_o way_n of_o explication_n 2._o confirm_v the_o observation_n and_o give_v you_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o and_o last_o make_v some_o application_n of_o it_o for_o explication_n 1._o i_o must_v desire_v you_o still_o to_o observe_v what_o i_o before_o tell_v you_o and_o now_o repeat_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o all_o its_o motion_n be_v but_o a_o servant_n of_o the_o word_n it_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v the_o spring_n from_o which_o all_o its_o motion_n do_v proceed_v both_o the_o secret_a and_o reveal_v will_n the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v but_o one_o but_o part_n of_o it_o be_v reveal_v part_v conceal_v so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o our_o salvation_n be_v reveal_v whether_o respect_v our_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o respect_v what_o shall_v happen_v to_o we_o or_o other_o to_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n and_o church_n in_o this_o life_n or_o to_o particular_a soul_n in_o or_o after_o this_o life_n now_o what_o god_n have_v thus_o reveal_v providence_n bring_v to_o issue_n and_o here_o be_v the_o ground_n both_o of_o our_o prayer_n and_o praise_n 2._o for_o the_o promise_n i_o say_v you_o shall_v observe_v it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o divine_a providence_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o accomplishment_n upon_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n when_o they_o be_v at_o the_o low_a in_o all_o humane_a appearance_n in_o the_o low_a state_n of_o dejection_n in_o the_o low_a degree_n of_o affliction_n when_o they_o be_v low_a as_o to_o their_o outward_a state_n low_a as_o to_o their_o hope_n 3._o i_o add_v three_o that_o it_o ordinary_o give_v a_o be_v and_o fulfil_v to_o the_o threaten_a when_o god_n enemy_n be_v at_o the_o high_a the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v those_o to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v they_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o they_o they_o be_v those_o to_o who_o be_v give_v the_o great_a and_o precious_a promise_n wicked_a man_n be_v they_o to_o who_o the_o threaten_n belong_v they_o be_v the_o child_n of_o wrath_n the_o heir_n of_o the_o curse_n the_o work_n of_o providence_n in_o reference_n to_o they_o those_o of_o they_o that_o will_v not_o be_v reform_v be_v to_o bring_v all_o the_o curse_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o but_o i_o say_v you_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n fulfil_v these_o word_n of_o threaten_v upon_o they_o be_v when_o they_o be_v at_o the_o high_a in_o the_o high_a hope_n of_o the_o contrary_a on_o the_o high_a mountain_n of_o prosperity_n let_v i_o endeavour_v to_o justify_v this_o observation_n by_o some_o instance_n and_o those_o concern_v body_n of_o people_n or_o individual_n you_o know_v the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o only_a people_n under_o heaven_n until_o christ_n ascension_n that_o god_n own_v as_o his_o people_n individual_v there_o be_v that_o be_v not_o jew_n as_o job_n and_o other_o but_o i_o say_v for_o a_o body_n of_o people_n there_o be_v no_o other_o gal._n 3.16_o to_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n be_v the_o promise_v make_v rom._n 9.4_o who_o be_v israelites_n to_o who_o appertain_v the_o adoption_n and_o the_o glory_n and_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o promise_n the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob._n david_n etc._n etc._n the_o promise_n of_o inherit_v canaan_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n destroy_v their_o enemy_n etc._n etc._n now_o these_o promise_n be_v give_v out_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o divine_a providence_n to_o give_v they_o a_o verification_n and_o to_o fulfil_v they_o observe_v what_o time_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v it_o in_o it_o bring_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n and_o into_o canaan_n not_o while_n jacob_n or_o joseph_n be_v alive_a joseph_n be_v a_o great_a man_n and_o can_v have_v give_v a_o probable_a conduct_n to_o that_o great_a work_n the_o israelite_n while_o he_o live_v be_v in_o a_o very_a flourish_a condition_n multiply_a exceed_o and_o be_v in_o a_o very_a prosperous_a state_n every_o way_n but_o this_o be_v not_o a_o time_n when_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n joseph_n must_v die_v and_o another_o king_n rise_v up_o that_o know_v not_o joseph_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n be_v diminish_v their_o little_a one_o slay_v their_o whole_a body_n oppress_v with_o hard_a labour_n and_o bring_v to_o as_o low_a a_o pass_n as_o you_o can_v well_o imagine_v a_o people_n to_o be_v not_o whole_o blot_v out_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o providence_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n for_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n they_o pass_v the_o red-sea_n in_o a_o very_a formidable_a body_n like_a enough_o to_o make_v their_o way_n through_o the_o wilderness_n and_o a_o variety_n of_o enemy_n into_o the_o promise_a land_n but_o before_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n bring_v they_o in_o they_o must_v be_v break_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n destroy_v all_o dead_a unless_o caleb_n and_o joshuah_n who_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o their_o body_n whole_o a_o new_a generation_n then_o they_o shall_v pass_v over_o jordan_n read_v over_o all_o the_o story_n of_o judge_n and_o observe_v god_n seldom_o deliver_v they_o from_o their_o oppressor_n until_o they_o be_v bring_v
same_o as_o of_o my_o former_a observation_n because_o thus_o he_o get_v himself_o most_o glory_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o all_o his_o action_n he_o work_v for_o himself_o for_o the_o honour_n and_o glory_n of_o his_o own_o great_a name_n now_o god_n have_v more_o honour_n and_o glory_n by_o these_o accomplishment_n than_o if_o he_o shall_v bring_v they_o to_o pass_v by_o great_a and_o more_o probable_a mean_n the_o apostle_n give_v this_o very_a reason_n 1_o cor._n 1.29_o why_o god_n choose_v weak_a thing_n to_o confound_v those_o that_o be_v mighty_a etc._n etc._n that_o no_o flesh_n shall_v glory_v in_o his_o presence_n 1._o his_o power_n be_v thus_o more_o magnify_v he_o thus_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o great_a god_n a_o mighty_a god_n though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o power_n of_o god_n be_v equal_o exert_v when_o he_o work_v by_o great_a mean_n as_o by_o small_a have_v we_o spiritual_a eye_n or_o do_v we_o look_v upon_o mean_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v as_o derive_v all_o their_o efficacy_n from_o god_n yet_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la it_o be_v not_o so_o to_o we_o and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v in_o scripture_n observe_v god_n often_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v work_v this_o or_o that_o in_o this_o or_o that_o manner_n that_o his_o people_n may_v not_o say_v that_o they_o have_v do_v this_o by_o their_o own_o might_n or_o power_n the_o lesser_a appearance_n there_o be_v of_o second_o cause_n the_o more_o the_o efficiency_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n be_v evident_a so_o god_n get_v himself_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o glory_n by_o work_v in_o the_o day_n of_o man_n small_a thing_n 2._o as_o i_o also_o tell_v you_o under_o the_o former_a head_n god_n get_v himself_o more_o glory_n by_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o people_n he_o be_v more_o admire_v in_o his_o working_n more_o praise_v and_o adore_v for_o his_o working_n the_o enemy_n be_v also_o hereby_o enforce_v to_o confess_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o power_n but_o have_v enlarge_v upon_o these_o thing_n under_o the_o former_a observation_n i_o shall_v add_v no_o more_o here_o but_o come_v to_o the_o application_n use_v 1_o the_o first_o use_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o this_o point_n shall_v be_v what_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n have_v make_v before_o i_o zech._n 4.10_o who_o have_v despise_v the_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n the_o prophet_n propound_v it_o by_o way_n of_o interrogation_n but_o it_o contain_v a_o precept_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o it_o learn_v not_o to_o despise_v the_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n it_o be_v usual_o god_n day_n it_o may_v be_v a_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n as_o to_o the_o church_n the_o state_n of_o it_o may_v be_v very_o sad_a the_o case_n of_o it_o very_o low_a little_a humane_a mean_n or_o probability_n may_v appear_v of_o the_o amendment_n of_o its_o state_n all_o thing_n may_v seem_v to_o make_v against_o the_o interest_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n now_o i_o say_v let_v no_o man_n despise_v this_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n it_o may_v be_v a_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n with_o the_o particular_a soul_n the_o case_n of_o it_o may_v be_v very_o sad_a it_o may_v be_v full_a of_o dejection_n full_a of_o despondency_n hurry_v with_o temptation_n it_o may_v have_v hope_n and_o but_o a_o little_a hope_n light_n shine_v in_o upon_o it_o at_o a_o poor_a crevice_n let_v none_o now_o despise_v this_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n two_o thing_n i_o will_v press_v upon_o you_o 1._o not_o to_o despise_v this_o day_n 2._o to_o perform_v what_o be_v your_o positive_a duty_n with_o reference_n to_o such_o a_o day_n 1._o i_o say_v first_o despise_v not_o such_o a_o day_n person_n or_o thing_n may_v be_v despise_v two_o way_n 1._o direct_o 2._o interpretative_o take_v heed_n of_o despise_v it_o direct_o take_v heed_n of_o despise_v it_o interpretative_o we_o despise_v a_o person_n or_o thing_n direct_o when_o in_o our_o heart_n we_o contemn_v he_o or_o it_o and_o have_v a_o low_a and_o poor_a estimate_n of_o he_o or_o it_o and_o express_v it_o by_o any_o outward_a sign_n as_o word_n gesture_n etc._n etc._n thus_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n scorn_v the_o jew_n employ_v in_o re-building_n the_o city_n and_o temple_n when_o they_o say_v what_o will_v these_o feeble_a jew_n do_v if_o a_o fox_n go_v up_o he_o will_v break_v down_o what_o they_o have_v build_v it_o be_v it_o seem_v a_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n with_o the_o jew_n their_o enemy_n despise_v they_o and_o mock_v at_o they_o thus_o sennacherib_n despise_v hezekiah_n when_o he_o offer_v his_o commissioner_n two_o hundred_o horse_n if_o his_o master_n can_v set_v rider_n on_o they_o take_v heed_n of_o this_o despise_n thus_o the_o popish_a party_n in_o germany_n despise_v the_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n by_o luther_n when_o they_o bid_v he_o go_v into_o his_o cell_n and_o pray_v lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o i_o the_o issue_n in_o all_o 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