Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n age_n church_n time_n 2,142 5 3.6322 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A17400 The paterne of wholsome words. Or a collection of such truths as are of necessity to be belieued vnto saluation separated out of the body of all theologie made euident by infallible plaine proofes of Scripture. And withall, the seuerall vses such principles should be put to, are abundantly shevved. A proiect much desired, and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians. By N. Bifeild [sic], preacher of Gods word at Isleworth in Middlesex. Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. 1618 (1618) STC 4226; ESTC S120680 139,132 558

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get
he sanctifieth Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also hee called and whom hee called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified Ezech. 36.26.27 c. A new heart also will I giue you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your body and I will giue you an heart of flesh And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and doe them c. 2. That to be truly sanctified is to die to sinne and to rise againe to newnesse of life Rom. 6.1.2.3.4 What shall we say then shall we continue in sinne that grace may abound God forbid how shall we that are dead to sinne liue yet therein Know ye not that all wee which haue bin baptized into Iesus Christ haue been baptized into his death We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walke in newnesse of life c. Or it is to repent beleeue the Gospell Mark 1.15 The time is fulfilled and the kingdome of God is at hand repent and beleeue the Gospell 3. That except wee be borne againe we cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ioh. 3.5 Iesus answered verily verily I say vnto thee except that a man bee borne of water and of the spirit hee cannot enter into the kingdome of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without the which no man shall see the Lord. 1. Ioh. 1.7 But if we walke in the light as he is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne clenseth vs from all sinne 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ let him bee a new creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new Fourthly that sanctification is Gods gift and worke in Iesus Christ we can no more conuert our selues then wee can beget our selues at first wee can no more create our selues new men then wee can create our selues men Act. 5.31 Him hath God lifted vp with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel forgiuenes of sins Act. 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life 2. Tim. 2.25 Instructing them with meeknes that are cōtrary minded prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth 1. Cor. 1.30 But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption Ezech. 37.28 Thus the heathen shall know that I the Lord doe sanctifie Israel when my sanctuary shall be amongst them for euermore Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost Fifthly that our sanctification is vnperfect while wee liue in this world 1. Ioh. 1.8 If wee say that wee haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. Prou. 24.16 For a iust man falleth seuen times and riseth againe but the wicked fall into mischiefe Esa. 64.6 But we haue all been as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnes is as filthy clouts and we do all fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away The vses may be for Information Instruction Humiliation and Consolation For the first wee may heere take notice of the wisedome of God in curing the posterity of Adam Wee receiued a double disease from Adam the one was guilt of eternal death the other was corruption of nature By Iustification the first was abolished and by Sanctification the other is healed by degrees For the second we may here learne many things The first is carefully to studie our owne sanctification compell vpon our selues a more constant endeauour of sound reformation To this end I propound two things 1. Certaine motiues which we should haue continually in our minds to stirre vs vp to the care of holines and to get true grace 2. Certaine rules which may exceedingly further vs about our Sanctification The motiues are these amongst many 1. The commandement of God 1. Thes. 4.3 This is the will of God euen your sanctification Ephes. 2.10 For wee are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them 2. The conscience of our debt which we owe heerein Rom. 8.12 Therefore brethren we are debters not to the flesh to liue after the flesh being redeemed by Christ. Tit. 2.14 Who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purge vs to be a peculiar people to him selfe zealous of good workes 3 The consideration of our owne dignity wee are the children of God the temples of the holy Ghost Kings and Priests vnto God Gods owne peculiar people and inheritance 4. The rich promises that belong to godlinesse 1. Tim. 4.8 For bodily exercise profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come 5. The assuring hereby of our calling and Election 2. Pet. 1.10 Wherefore brethren giue rather diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall 6. The excellency of good workes they are sacrifices seasoned with the salt of faith kindled with the fier of the holy Ghost offered by the merit of Christ and accepted of God 1. Pet. 2.5 And yee be made a holy Priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. 7. The silencing of the ignorant from speaking euill 1. Pet. 2.15 For so is the will of God that by well doing yee may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish 8. Because else 1. The name of God will bee blasphemed Rom. 2.24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you 2. Sam. 12.14 Howbeit because by this deed thou hast caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child that is borne vnto thee shall surely die c. 2. The spirit of God will be grieued and the workes of the spirit deaded Ephes. 4.30 And grieue not the holy spirit of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption 3. The iudgement of God will be prouoked Psalm 89.31.32 The rules we had need to bee put in minde of that concerne Sanctification either shew vs what to take heed of or what to doe That wee be not deceiued in this great worke of true grace we must take heed First of wretchlesnesse and security whereby a man liues so as he is insensible and carelesse of reformation altogether Awake thou that sleepest