Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	according_a	godly_a	great_a	105	3	2.0638	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A19174	The seale of the churches safetie; or A sermon preached at Norwich, the fift of Nouember, 1616 Wherein is opened the sealed assurance of the safetie of the Church, in all times, and estates, meete for all Christians to know, and acknowledge, to the glorie of God, and their owne comfort in life and death. By N. Colt, one of the preachers appointed by publike authoritie for the common-place there.; Seale of the churches safetie.	Colt, Nicholas, d. 1642.	1617 (1617)	STC 5585; ESTC S118542	22,373	96

honour You are stiled The children of light of wisedome of obedience and of the Kingdome a royall Priesthood a holy Nation a peculiar People anointed adopted and sealed to the day of Redemption the seruants friends and children of the euerliuing God heires fellow heires with Christ heires of Grace of life of glorie of heauen holy iust mercifull good and godly c. Doth Heauen thus heape Honour vpon you and doe you yet droope and hang down the head vnder the contempt of the World you are most happie and honourable in the sight of God and his Angels and yet you cannot see into it through the filthy fogs of the worlds vaporous words Let me tell you in loue that you are much to● blame thus to wrōg your selues But I will leaue you a while to your second and wiser cogitations and will turne me as you● Aduocate to pleade your caus● a little with the men of thi● world and plainely tell them that if they will not in time learne of God in his word how to thinke and speake louingly and respectiuely of his Sonnes and Daughters but will needes goe on still to ouer-cast their brightnes with clouds of scorn to blemish their beautie with termes of reproach there is a day comming and it makes haste vpon them When the Lord will speake to them in his wrath and vexe them in his sore displeasure Psal 2. I reade in the booke of Ester cap. 8. that when the Medes and Persians did see how the Lord God did deliuer and blesse his people Israel many thereupon became Iewes turned Iewes as the phrase is now turned Protestant O happy turne change So could I wish that Papists Atheists and all other euill disposed persons would vpon the knowledge of the great honor and happinesse of the Saints and true Seruants of God be moued thereby to turne Saints that is to become godly and holy men and women without which they cannot be saued For all saluation is intayled by the couenant of grace in Christ to the Saints and to their holy Seede Who haue obtayned like precious faith with vs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through the righteousnesse of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ as it is 2. Pet. 1.1 To proceede now in the last place to the kind of deliuerāce which in this heauenly Oracle is promised to all the godly it is saith the Text from temptation The word in the Greeke is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the hebrew word is Massa of Nasah Now we find that in holy Scripture Temptations are of two sorts Two sorts of Temptations viz. Of Sinne Sorrow and so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temptation hath a twofold construction For first there be temptations of sin sinners from which we pray in the Lords prayer and God hath promised to deliuer his Elect in Christ namely from the curse and power of them in that degree and measure which God knoweth meet for his glorie Gradibus quibus c. Secondly there be Temptations of sorrow trouble affliction danger distresse which God sendeth vnto his Saints either as trials or chastisements or both In this latter sense the word Tēptation is to be taken in this place For so shall the Conclusion paralell the Premisses that is This generall promise of deliuerance out of Temptation shall be sutable to the foregoing Examples Instances of Gods good prouidence in sauing Noah and Lot in the times of their temptation that is of their danger distresse wherein the world of the wicked perished as is before in this chapter related by the Apostle And in this sense also you may finde the word Temptation often vsed in the holy Scripture As in the Epistle of S. Iames Iam. 1.2 Count it 〈◊〉 ioy my Brethren saith the Apostle when yee fall into manifold Temptations not of sinne but o● troubles afflictions and dangers for well-doing c. Likewise in this sense doth Christ himselfe vse the word Temptation when he promised to the Minister of the Church o● Philadelphia Reuel 3 1● deliuerance from the houre of Temptation that should come vpon the world that is saith D. Fulke è maximis periculis acerbiss calamitatibus From the greatest perils and most bitter calamities that shall come c. Now then the thing is euident that the LORD our GOD doth here promise to all the godly that depend vpon him in the faith of this truth that he will sustayne saue helpe and deliuer them out of their temptations troubles and dangers of the greatest distresse and that according to his infinite wisedome power and goodnesse But it may be here obiected that this promise seemeth not to haue beene performed accordingly vnto the godly at all times I answere Assuredly it hath beene is and euer shall be performed in the full extent and true sense thereof I meane that God wil alwaies either preuent and repell the euils and dangers which are imminent and hang ouer the heads of the faithfull or else will preserue them vnder the same and finally either in life temporally or by death eternally will deliuer them out of al as here is promised And hereof wee haue a cloud yea a little world of witnesses besides Noah and Lot Let Abraham Isaac Iacob Ioseph c. stand forth with their stories and tell vs how the Lord did deliuer them Yea let Daniel in the Lyons Den Ieremie in the Dungeon the three Children of God in the firie fornace Ionas in the belly of the Whale deliuer vs in the Records of their preseruation for our further cōfirmation Holy Dauid and the ●esidue of thy Royal race keepe ●ot silence in this case And to come neerer home Queene Elizabeth Thou blessed Lady of famous memorie be not wanting to ho●or this word of Truth with mine owne singular experience ● Anno 88. 92. 94. 97. and in Anno 1601. The particulars I ●orbeare to mention further sith ●hey are vpon record and noto●ously knowne in euery place of his Christian Continent In the last course though not ●ith the least worst euidence ●f diuine deliuerance Let our ●ost deare and dread Soueraign ●ord King Iames with his royal ●pouse our noble Prince Peeres ●nd whole State come in and act their parts shew openly what great deliuerances the Lord of heauen and earth hath wrought out for them and for vs al inclusiuely wherof we may we must reioyce and whereof I in my place and course according to the trust that is reposed in me according to the taske that is imposed vpon me doe humbly craue libertie of time to make now some particular and perspicuous Relation of that late not least wonderfull Deliuerance of our gracious King Queene Prince State Church and Cōmon-wealth from that most fearefull hellish Conspiracie now cōmonly called the Powder-Treason which is the speciall cause of our meeting here together in the presence of God in this house

of God the Sonne and of God the holy Ghost that they equally and ioyntly seuerally infallibly and eternally doe know with which knowledge is ioyned Will Power and Effect how to deliuer the godly out of c. Oh sweet oh precious oh sauing knowledge of the glorious Godhead in Trinitie Vnitie thus concurring thus co-working for the Elects well-fare Now then to this holy God and soueraigne Lord Father Sonne and holy Ghost one and the same God in nature and number God ouer all blessed for euer be all all honor glorie faith loue feare obedience praise yeelded by vs by ours and by all his redeemed eternally Amen Amen Amen To this truth doe the holy Prophets Apostles beare witnesse Reade Gen. 6.5 Psal 104. throughout and Psal 145. c. But most pregnant for this purpose is that place Act. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. v. 18. where the Apostle Iames auoucheth that all the workes of God are knowne to him from the beginning And as knowne so likewise are they ordered For saith our Apostle 1. Cor. 12.6 It is he that worketh all in all things Tripliciter operatur Deus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The anomie disorder and euill of the action God permitteth the action it self God ordereth In good creatures God worketh his will not onely by them but also in them as in Dauid c. In the rest not in them yet by them as in Iudas c. Let vs now at length come to make some vse by way of position and obseruation both of the absolute soueraigntie of our God as he is Lord and also of his infinite knowledge and prouidence which as Salomon saith doth equally reach vnto all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 euen to euery haire of euery head and to euery bird of euery feather Matth. 10. cap. 6. And sith the Apostle 2. Tim. 3.16 affirmeth that the right vse of all holy truth is to teach to improue to correct instruct in righteousnesse we will haue some eye vnto the same in our applicatiō And first forasmuch as the Lord Iehouah who properly to speake is Lord onely doth of right as you haue heard challenge to himselfe full absolute and vniuersall Power in and ouer all things persons c. let vs all learne alwayes and in euery estate thus to acknowledge him to be our Lord and our God yea let the greatest Lords and highest Powers vpon earth acknowledge that their places power are of from this Lord and being deriued from him are dependant vpon him limitted by him and subiect vnto him and consequently that they must bee countable vnto him in a most strict account For sayth King Salomon Sap. cap. 6.3 The rule is giuen you of the Lord and your Power by the most High which will trie your workes and search out your imaginations c. Turne not therfore your power and places of eminencie into carnall Pompe or priuate gaine much lesse into personall reuenge and cruel oppression but with holy Dauid sing Mercie and Iudgement to the Lord c. Psal 101. For you exercise but a Ministerie of Iustice and Mercie vnder his holy Maiestie and not any absolute dissolute lawlesse Authoritie which is little better then plaine tyrannie Secondly seeing this high and holy Lord of heauen and earth giueth this subordinate Power to men let vs and all learne to obey them in the Lord that doe command and rule ouer vs in the Lord * Rom. 13.1.2.3 c. and that for Conscience sake Thirdly let vs all from hence learne that we are not our own nor any thing that we haue is absolutely ours but the Lords and therefore that our selues and all that wee haue ought to beat his command in all things times estates and so to make all serue for his honour and glorie cheerefully conscionably constantly Fourthly sith we are all g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-seruants vnder one and the same Soueraigne Lord and Master howsoeuer otherwise wee differ in place and partes office and administration yet let no man lift vp his heart aboue that which is meet but in loue learne to serue helpe and honour one another in the Lord as becommeth fellow-seruants that are equally interessed in the Title and honour of the heauenly Inheritance h Rom. 8.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lastly let vs with these heads of duetie consider our dignitie and safetie vnder the Shield and sauing Power of this our Soueraigne Lord and God and comfort our selues in the same vnder all the basenesse of our outward estate and contempt of the world also vnder the enmitie and hostilitie of Sathan and of sinners of Pope or Papist and sing we a sweete and sacred Requiem and Al-hayle to our blessed King Queene Prince State our selues and ours so long as GOD is our Lord and wee continue his faithfull seruants in Iesus Christ Care and feare be remoued from vs and let heauenly comfort and confidence accompanie vs vntill we haue finished our course in the faith seruice of the Lord our God euen of this Lord that knoweth how to deliuer all his from euill and to bring them to neuer-ending Honour And thus may wee profit by the knowledge and faith of this point that God is the Lord our Lord absolute in Power glorious in praises doing wonders wonders I say for his seruants safetie as appeareth in vs this day Oh how blessed are the people whose God is the Lord Iehouah euen the people whom he hath chosen for his Inheritance Psa 33. So much of the first word in our Text. Now let vs come to make some vse of the next head of doctrine touching the knowledge of this Lord The Lord knoweth The Atheist beleeueth not the truth of this Text but saith Is there any such knowledge in the Almightie Others hold the Paynims principle that tho God knoweth all yet say Non vacat Ioui c. The Lord hath no leisure to attend vpon euery trifle which one thus well answereth That as God vouchsafed to create the least and basest things Sicut non dedecuit Deum infima creare sic nec creata curare so hee disdaineth not to regard and order the same The common sort of Christians will bee brought to yeelde perhaps that the Lord vnderstandeth and knoweth all and potentially is able to doe what hee will but hardly can bee brought to confesse a particular and practike knowledge in God which extendeth it selfe to all and euery least creature thing whatsoeuer vnder heauen in heauen Yet must euen this also be beleeued or else this Truth of doctrine which is the ground of our hope and safetie is violated Finally the weake Christian which yet is not wholly voide of faith in God not duely pondering this point of holy truth seeing the prosperity of the wicked and the affliction of the good doth thereupon conceiue amisse of the Lord his

gouernement and knowledge of things here below and so also becommeth impatient and heartlesse to his owne great hurt and the offence of Heauen All these must learne to know and beleeue if they will bee saued that in God our Lord assuredly there is an eternall absolute and infallible knowledge of all things whatsoeuer together with wisedome will and power to rule order and dispose of them accordingly vntill euery thing be brought to that period and end which he hath appointed for his owne glory the saluation of the Elect and ruine of the Reprobate rout For the holy Word of ●he Lord doth here witnesse the same and his holy workes doe confirme it abundantly Now the meditation of all that herein hath beene said and truely taught out of these two words ioyned together The Lord knoweth referred to both the parts of this Prophecy as the same ought to be might me thinkes strike a strange terrour into the soule of any sinner which is not too too forlone and hardened in sinne when he shal come to himselfe and consider that hee hath sinned against a Lord First of infinite knowledge which perfectly knoweth the number and nature of all his sinnes whatsoeuer Secondly of infinite Iustice and therefore cannot let escape the least particular sinne which he was euer guiltie of originally or personally vnlesse hee find mercie in the Mediatour vpon his true repentance and faithfull conuersion from the power of Satan to the liuing Lord and from the disobedience of the wicked to the wisedome of the iust c. Thirdly of infinite power also and authoritie to cast both soule and bodie into Hell-fire perpetually vnrecouerably And lastly of infinite Eternitie to giue the impenitent sinner eternitie in that vnspeakeable miserie Oh consider this all that forget God together with his vnspeakeable knowledge power and iustice Make vp your peace with GOD in time in time I say lest he teare you in pieces and there bee none to deliuer you out of his hand that knoweth how to reserue not preserue the wicked to Iudgement to be punished eternally Moreouer let me tell you as I verily beleeue that the ignorance vnbeliefe or obliuion of this holy Truth that GOD knoweth absolutely all things euen all secrets of all mens mindes and manners and that hee hath absolute power in and ouer all as the Lord of Lords the ignorance I say and vnbeliefe of this truth is the maine cause and root of all Atheisme Prophanenesse Hypocrisie Neutralitie and to come neerer the point in hand of all sinnefull feare and despaire in dangers and distresse also of carnall confidence sinnefull securitie and shifting by corrupt courses to helpe our selues in time of need also of all base grosse and weake conceits of God and of his gouernment and finally of all impatiencie murmuring c. vnder affliction Whereas on the contrarie the sound and sanctified knowledge of GODS infinite power and wisdome to performe whatsoeuer he will and hath reuealed in his Word will helpe to afford all good Christians vnspeakeable animation affiance loue awe peace patience constancy and comfort to cast all their cares and burthen vpon the Lord as hee hath commanded and so to rest in peace and sacred securitie c. Finally that I may grow to an end in the application of this first part of the Text seeing the Lord bringeth his iudgements to light euery morning as his holy Word doth witnesse in his knowledge and power performing the same let vs learne hence-forth to make due and daily obseruation thereof that wee may say as Thusidides did in another case I haue experience of this and that Truth of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fulfilled eyther in mercie or iustice so ioyne experimentall knowledge and faith with literall and spirituall How many Christians continue weake in faith and patience c. because they bee wanting this way to God in dutie for God hath so done his maruailous workes that they ought to be had in remembrance and to themselues in wisedome Neglect not then this helpe of holinesse if you would grow vp faster in all holy feare faith loue and obedience c. Learne also this lesson of all the wise-hearted Patriarchs Prophets and Princes of the Lord his people 1. Sam. 17.37 specially of holy Dauid Psal 48.7 c. in his blessed Booke of Psalmes And so let vs proceede in the Text to the next word Deliuer The Lord knoweth to deliuer This is one singular effect of the foresaid Cause Deliuerance to the godly The knowledge of God is neyther idle nor vnfruitfull but operatiue and effectuall and that vnto these two ends principally so farre forth as it concerneth Man namely to saue the godly and to wrecke the wicked And of these because the saluation of the iust is of special consequence for the glorie of Gods sauing power and Fatherly Prouidence therefore it is here set in the first place and hath the preeminence And a singular President mee thinkes it is of good Gouernment and of the right vse of all that knowledge and power wherewith the Lord hath furnished vs or any of vs whether we be Magistrates Ministers or Masters of Families In the extent of mercie and iustice First to bee guided by knowledge euen by Diuine knowlege and vnderstanding of Gods will Secondly to limit it by the power and place which wee hold in charge Thirdly specially and aboue the rest to doe good to the good to preserue and deliuer the Iust so sauing them that should be saued in the first place Let Noah bee first shipped in safetie in GODS Arke before the flouds of Iustice ouerflow the World And let Lot be gone from Sodome y● Angels of the Lord before yo● fire the place of his Repose Consider what I haue sayd and the Lord giue you vnderstanding in all things to doe his will And thus much briefely o● the connexion of the effect with the cause and of the Apostles order in putting the safety of the Saints in the first place and passage of Gods most holy Gouernment Againe further obserue here with me that the Lord our God taketh the ground of his doing good to his seruants euen ●rom his owne eternall and vnchangeable knowledge wil and goodnesse which worketh free●y of it selfe and from it selfe all the effects of mercie and salua●ion promised to his Saints Let then our helpe also and seruice which wee yeeld to the people of God in our places not be base inforced mercinarie or any way corrupt at the root but ●ngenuous free and faithfull that so we may in our measure become merciful and iust as our heauenly Father is to vs. The Text followeth The Lord knoweth to deliuer The word here vsed doth properly signifie to take by force 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h. e. Eripere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to deliuer with strong hand as if the Apostle should tell all the godly that otherwise all euils and enemies dangers distresses