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	true_a	1,952	5	4.9061	4	false

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

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

men esteeme vs as the dispensers of the secrets of Christ 1. Cor. 4.1.2 And be perswaded by vs 2. Cor. 5.20 3. Thirdly we must here know that we must depend vpon Christ onely for doctrine needful to saluation There is but one Law giuer away with traditions and reuelations of mens owne hearts if an Angell from heauen would teach vs otherwise let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 Iam. 4.12 Will any man teach God Iob 21.22 4. We may here see the horrible estate of such as will be still ignorant and liue in their sinnes hauing the Scriptures and preaching in the name and by the authoritie of Christ. Iohn 1.10 Ioh. 3.19 Christ in these crieth but men regard not Prou. 1.20 c. 5. Wee must take heed that we mistake not and that in two things 1. First about the difference of Christ and all others in teaching 2. About the continuance of this propheticall office Christ teaching in his owne person did excell all other so as wee might truly say who teacheth like him Iob. 36.22 1. For first he taught with more authoritie Matth. 7.29 For hee taught them as one hauing authority and not as the Scribes 2. He teacheth by his spirit not by sound of words onely or by inke and paper 3. He graueth his words not in stone but in the fleshly tables of mens hearts 2. Cor. 3.3 c. And for the continuance of prophecy wee must know that it lasts but for this life for in the other world prophecie shall cease 1. Cor. 13.8 Loue doth neuer fall away though that prophesyings be abolished or the tongues cease or knowledge vanisheth away For instruction and so these principles may teach First all in Generall and so diuers duties 1. First with all carefulnes therefore to heare the voice of Christ Mat. 17.5 Behold there came a voice out of the cloud saying This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased heare him 2. In all wants to run vnto Christ and pray that he would teach vs Psal. 25.5 Leade mee forth in thy truth and teach me for thou art the God of my saluation In thee doe I trust all the day c. Psalm 143.10 Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnesse 3. But then if wee would euer profit by Christs teaching we must be poore in spirit broken in hart mourne for our sinnes Isaiah 60.1 c. Malach. 3. from the 1. to the 7. And make conscience to leaue all sinne and bee renewed throughout Eph. 4.17 to 23. 4. To loue the house of God where the Son of God exerciseth his prophecying Psalm 84.4.10 Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will euer praise thee For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand other where I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickednes Mat. 12.42 We should long for it and call vpon one another Isaiah 2.3 5. To cleaue to the counsels reproofes doctrines and exhortations of Christ in the execution of his office Ioh. 6.68 And to receiue the truth with al ful assurance Heb. 3.6 2. Pet. 1.19 6. Not to be too busie one against another in doubtfull or indifferent things Iam. 4.11.12 There is one Law-giuer which is able to saue and destroy who art thou that iudgest another man Secondly hence Ministers may learne diuers things 1. Not to affect the praise of men for the greatnesse of their gifts or glory of their work They must not be called Rabbi seeing one is their Doctor euen Christ and they haue nothing but what they haue receiued from him Matth. 23.8 But rather learne of Iohn Baptist Iohn 3.30.31 who said He must increase but I must decrease 2. When they discharge their duties not to be affraid of men or to bee ouermuch carefull in their trouble what to speake or doe They should settle this in their hearts for Christ will giue them a mouth and wisdom which all their aduersaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist one haire of their head shall not perish and therefore in patience they should possesse their soules Luke 21.14 to the 20. 3. To be diligent in the execution of their office seeing they must make vp their accounts to Christ whose Embassadours they are and they should speak as the words of Christ and not their owne words Rom. 12.6.7.8 Thirdly here is singular consolation to al the godly from the propheticall office of Christ and that if we consider three things 1. What Christ will teach vs. 2. How he will teach vs. 3. Whom he will teach For the first it may bee an exceeding comfort that God hath giuen vs his Sonne to bee our Prophet for thereby we may bee assured that he will be our counsellor in all estates Isaiah 9.6 Hee will teach vs to profit Isaiah 33.22 And when wee are deiected and broken in heart and mourne for our corruptions hee doth acknowledge it to be a part of his office to apply the Gospell to vs and to proclaime the acceptable yeere of the Lord and to poure vpon vs the oile of gladnesse for the Spirit of heauines For the second Christs teaching is wonderfull comfortable for the Scripture shewes that he will teach vs 1. Freely he will giue vs our teaching hee stands not vpon hire Iohn 17.8 For I haue giuen vnto them the words which thou gauest me c. 2. Powerfully and effectually so as if our harts were dead within vs yet he will reuiue them the dead shall heare his voice Iohn 5.25 3. Familiarly and with great delight as a mother would instruct her childe at home in a chamber Canticles 8.2 4. Fully keeping from vs nothing that may bee needfull for vs hee will teach vs all things Iohn 15.15 Hence forth call I you not seruants for the seruant knoweth not what his Master doth but I haue called you friends for all things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Col. 2.3 In whō are hid al the treasures of wisdom and knowledge c. 5. Gloriously and with a maruelous shining light of knowledge that may rauish our harts and much affect vs 2. Cor. 4.6 For God that commanded the light to shine out of darkenesse is he which hath shined in our hearts to giue the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all behold as in a mirrour the glory of the Lord with open face and are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. 6. Confidently Hee will so teach vs the truth as hee will bee ready to iustifie it as a neuer failing faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 3.14 And vnto the Angell of the Church of the Laodiceans write These things saith Amen the faithfull and true witnesse the beginning of the creatures of God Isaiah 55.4

incarnate p. 168. Fiue instructions p. 169.170 Many consolations from the incarnation of Christ. p. 171. to 175. Chap. 14. Of the conception of Christ the vses p. 176. c. Chap. 15. How Christ could be borne of a Virgin with the vses p. 180. to 186. Foure sorts of making man at seuerall times p. 184. Chap. 16. Of the personal vnion with the vses p. 186. to 191. Chap. 17. Principles that concerne the mediator-ship of Christ. p. 191. to 197. When Christ was giuen to be mediator p. 194. Three sorts of couenants of God p. 197. Wherein the couenant of grace and the couenant of workes agree and how they differ in sixe things p. 200. to 206. Nine priuiledges of the couenant of grace p. 206. to 211. The properties of this couenant p. 211.212 Ten arguments to assure the infallibility of the couenant of grace p. 212.213 The persons capable of these priuiledges p. 214. Comforts in the curse of sinne and in the crosse of affliction and in the curse of death p. 215.216 What wee must auoid in respect of this couenant p. 217.218 What we must doe that wee may bee fitted for this couenant p. 219. Eight things to be done that we may walke worthy of this couenant p. 220.221.222 Chap. 18. What the Propheticall office of Christ is the parts of it and the manner how he executed it p. 226.227.228 Seuen principles concerning the propheticall office of Christ. p. 229.230.231 Christ differed in teaching from all others in diuers things p. 235.236 Sixe instructions p. 237.238 Eight comfortable things in the manner of Christs teaching p. 240. to 245. Chap. 19. Foure principles concerning the obedience of Christ. p. 247. to 250. with the vses to p. 254. Chap. 20. Sixe principles concerning the Passion of Christ. p. 255.256.257 The extreame things Christ suffered for vs. p. 257. to 262. Many duties to be performed vpon the consideration of the Passion 1. Towards Christ himselfe p. 263. to 267. 2. Towards others p. 268. to 271. 3. Towards our selues p. 271. to 279. Fiue vses for information p. 279. to 284. Many consolations from the passion of Christ in generall from p. 284. to 291. Many particular consolations p. 291 to 301. Chap. 21. Foure principles concerning the intercession of Christ. p. 301.302.303 Seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ. p. 304. Confutation of Papists p. 309. Foure instructions p. 310. Ten cons●lations p. 311. to 315. Chap. 22. Seuen principles concerning the regall office of Christ. p. 315. to 325. The method of the doctrine of Christs Regall office p. 325. to 331. Twelue generall vses for instruction besides particular vses p. 331. to 340. Many consolations p. 340. to 344. Chap. 22. Seuen principles concerning the Church Nine vses for instruction p. 355. to 361 Many consolations p. 361. to 364. Chap. 23. Eight principles concerning Iustification p. 364. to 371. Eight vses for instruction p. 371. to 378. Sixe consolations p. 378. to 381. Chap. 24. Sixe principles concerning sanctification p. 383. to 388. Motiues to holinesse p. 389.390.391 Rules concerning sanctification where ten things to be auoided p. 392. to 396. Rules about the matter end manner and meanes of sanctification p. 396. to 340. Seuen signes of a man vnsanctified p. 402.403 Many consolations against the imperfection of sanctification p. 405. to 409. Chap. 26. Foure principles concerning the resurrection p. 410. to 414. That there shall bee a resurrection proued by varietie of Arguments p. 415. to 419. Sixe things in the manner of the resurrection p. 420.421 Fiue instructions p. 422. to 425. Many consolations p. 425. to 436. Sixe glorious things shall befall our bodies at the resurrection p. 429. Obiections answered p. 433. c. Chap. 27. Seuen principles concerning the last Iudgement p. 436. to 445. Sixe instructions p. 445. to 455. Sixe waies of offending in censuring p. 447. Nine things to be done that we may haue comfort in the day of Iudgment p. 451. to 455. The vse for terrour at large p. 455. to 460. Many obiections answered p. 460. to 478. It shall be a terrible day for fifteene sorts of offenders p. 472. to 478. Many consolations p. 478. to 482. Chap. 28. Foure principles concerning the glorie of heauen p. 482. to 487. Sixe vses for instruction with diuers notes p. 487. to 497. Sixe things we must doe that we may be sure to goe to Heauen p. 492. c. The consolations from p. 497. to the end The description of the parts of the glorie of Heauen and the perpetuitie of it FINIS CHAP. I. Containing the nature and vse of this Treatise THe purpose and drift of this Treatise is to effect three things First to extract out of all Theologie contained in the Scriptures such truths as are of necessitie to be beleeued vnto saluation the knowledge whereof is required of all In the defence whereof we should be ready to suffer the extreamest things euen death it selfe and which wee should account the very Characters of true Religion the distinct knowledge whereof we should lay vp as great riches Secondly to gather out of the Scriptures such euident proofes of each of those truths as might make a full assurance and establishment of heart in the particular beleefe of them Thirdly to poynt out the seuerall vses wee should make of these fundamentall truthes and for what excellent purpose they may serue vs all the daies of our life Singularly great would the profit of this proiect be if there were a heart in man to vse a little diligence in matters of so great moment Is it not a meruailous benefit in this contending world for a man to know distinctly what truthes be infallible and to haue the truthes that are absolutely necessary to be beleeued separated from such as a man may bee ignorant of and yet bee saued And for the second thing it is certaine the most Christians knowe their groundes but by heare-say and the common iudgement of others whereas here they may bee informed of them so as to knowe them by proofes of Scripture which with a little labour they may commit to memory as seed-plots of contemplation And for the third what is the reason that Common-place Diuinitie is so out of vse in popular teaching or that Catechismes are looked vpon so dully and learned or taught with so little profit but that the vse of such doctrine hath not been distinctly shewed so as men thinke of Principles as of certaine inferior truthes because they see other points in textuall course handled with directions for the vse of them Whereas it is certaine that no doctrines in Religion haue more abundant vse in the life of man nor more vrged with varietie of vses in the Scriptures then the heads of Catechisme And for the warrant of the proiect it is euident that the Apostles did make a separation of truthes and did extract the fundamentall truthes out of the maine body of doctrine and those they deliuered to