Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A44439
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A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures by Ezekiel Hopkins ...
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Hopkins, Ezekiel, 1634-1690.
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1693
(1693)
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Wing H2735; ESTC R37910
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158,868
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429
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be_v to_o show_v you_o the_o great_a evil_a and_o danger_n that_o there_o be_v in_o little_a sin_n now_o because_o the_o word_n at_o present_a read_v unto_o you_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o near_a cognation_n to_o the_o truth_n then_o deliver_v it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a gradation_n that_o he_o that_o will_v avoid_v great_a sin_n must_v avoid_v little_a sin_n and_o he_o that_o will_v avoid_v both_o great_a and_o little_a must_v consequent_o shun_v also_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o sin_n i_o have_v therefore_o pitch_v upon_o thiâ—_n brief_a exhortation_n of_o the_o apostle_n thaâ—_n thereby_o we_o may_v as_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a be_v lead_v up_o unto_o that_o exact_a purity_n and_o holiness_n the_o endeavour_n after_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a by_o all_o those_o whosâ—_n desire_n and_o care_v it_o be_v to_o obtain_v eternal_a salvation_n now_o in_o sundry_a verse_n before_o the_o text_n the_o apostle_n lay_v down_o several_a sedatiouâ—_n command_v let_v none_o render_v evil_a for_o evil_n rejoice_v evermore_o pray_v without_o cease_v in_o every_o thing_n give_v thanks_o quench_v not_o the_o spirit_n prove_v all_o thing_n abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_n be_v now_o towards_o the_o end_n and_o close_v of_o his_o epistle_n and_o not_o willing_a to_o omit_v the_o mention_v of_o duty_n so_o necessary_a for_o their_o practice_n he_o do_v as_o it_o be_v pour_v they_o out_o in_o weighty_a though_o short_a exhortation_n the_o connexion_n betwixt_o most_o of_o they_o be_v very_o dark_a or_o else_o none_o at_o all_o only_o betwixt_o the_o text_n and_o the_o two_o immediate_o forego_v verse_n it_o may_v seem_v more_o plain_a and_o natural_a in_o v._o 20._o he_o exhort_v they_o not_o to_o despise_v prophesy_v despise_v not_o prophesy_v that_o be_v the_o preach_v even_o of_o the_o common_a and_o â—dinary_a preacher_n and_o teacher_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o expound_v the_o scripturesâ—_n â—_z they_o and_o to_o declare_v the_o mind_n and_o â—ill_n of_o god_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n do_v â—e_n apostle_n mean_v only_o that_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a prophesy_v that_o he_o â—oke_v of_o 1_o cor._n 14._o when_o by_o a_o imitate_v impulse_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o holy_a â—host_n either_o they_o foretell_v thing_n future_a â—_o else_o speak_v in_o divers_a language_n he_o â—eeded_v not_o then_o to_o have_v so_o sollicitous_o â—re_n warn_v they_o not_o to_o despise_v he_o â—nce_o so_o great_a a_o miracle_n as_o this_o prophesyâ—g_n of_o will_v sufficient_o have_v vindicaâ—d_v itself_o from_o all_o contempt_n the_o lean_v therefore_o be_v this_o whatever_o â—ifts_n or_o grace_n you_o may_v have_v attain_v â—nto_o though_o you_o may_v know_v your_o duâ—es_n as_o well_o and_o though_o you_o may_v practice_v your_o duty_n better_a than_o they_o yet_o despise_v not_o their_o teach_v but_o what_o they_o propound_v to_o you_o as_o the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o attend_v unto_o with_o all_o reverence_n and_o submission_n but_o yet_o say_v the_o apostle_n i_o will_v â—ot_n have_v you_o therefore_o pull_v out_o your_o own_o yes_n because_o of_o the_o gift_n of_o your_o teacher_n and_n leader_n no_o do_v not_o mancipate_v â—nd_n captivate_v yourselves_o to_o whatever_o â—hey_n shall_v dictate_v unto_o you_o but_o prove_v all_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v in_o ver_fw-la 21._o search_v thâ—_n scripture_n examine_v whether_o the_o thing_n deliver_v to_o you_o be_v true_a or_o not_o if_o upon_o trial_n you_o find_v they_o so_o then_o hold_v foâ—_n the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n in_o v._o 21._o holâ—_n fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a but_o if_o upon_o in_o partial_a search_n you_o understand_v and_o sin_n that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o you_o bâ—_n unsound_a then_o abstain_v from_o it_o though_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o you_o be_v truâ—_n yet_o if_o their_o expression_n be_v deceitful_a â—_o such_o as_o may_v lead_v into_o error_n if_o the_o notion_n be_v dangerous_a if_o their_o expreâ—sions_n be_v bold_a and_o adventurous_a though_o you_o must_v not_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n yeâ—_n abstain_v from_o that_o appearance_n of_o evil_a thaâ—_n be_v in_o they_o hence_o from_o the_o connexion_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o deliver_n and_o receive_v of_o doctrine_n we_o shall_v careful_o abstain_v not_o only_o from_o what_o be_v unsound_a and_o dangerous_a but_o also_o from_o what_o be_v unsafe_a and_o venturous_a and_o true_o have_v this_o caution_n of_o our_o apostle_n be_v due_o regard_v have_v not_o teacher_n luxuriant_a tongue_n and_o hearer_n itch_a ear_n loathe_v old_a truth_n unless_o they_o appear_v set_v off_o in_o new_a dress_n our_o time_n â—d_a not_o be_v so_o fruitful_a in_o those_o monâ—rs_n of_o opinion_n that_o make_v it_o disputaâ—e_v whether_o our_o knowledge_n or_o our_o error_n be_v more_o it_o be_v a_o true_a say_v â—ong_o the_o ancient_n that_o heresy_n â—ead_a from_o word_n if_o not_o false_o yet_o â—duly_o and_o improper_o speak_v the_o â—olish_a rash_a and_o dare_a expression_n that_o â—ve_v drop_v from_o man_n sound_v in_o the_o â—ruth_n be_v receive_v by_o those_o that_o have_v â—t_a be_v able_a to_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o â—hat_n be_v proper_a and_o what_o be_v figurative_a â—hat_n be_v doctrinal_a and_o what_o be_v rhetoriâ—l_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o lead_v â—any_n aside_o into_o most_o dangerous_a and_o deâ—ructive_a tenet_n certain_o christian_n religion_n be_v a_o thing_n more_o severe_a and_o punctual_a than_o to_o be_v rhetoricate_v upon_o and_o â—ourished_v with_o oratory_n that_o may_v through_o â—earers_n mistake_v as_o much_o pervert_v the_o judgement_n as_o it_o may_v please_v and_o tickle_v â—he_n fancy_n there_o be_v great_a weight_n in_o word_n for_o by_o they_o the_o understanding_n â—_o steer_v either_o into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n or_o else_o into_o the_o embrace_v of_o error_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o use_v â—ch_a expression_n as_o be_v least_o liable_a to_o any_o misapprehension_n or_o misinterpretations_a it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o speak_v that_o which_o may_v possible_o be_v fetch_v off_o wiâ—_n truth_n by_o a_o distinction_n but_o if_o we_o dâ—_n but_o consult_v the_o ignorance_n of_o some_o anâ—_n the_o malice_n of_o other_o we_o shall_v see_v reâ—son_n enough_o to_o speak_v if_o possible_o so_o â—_o that_o the_o ignorant_a may_v not_o be_v able_a â—_o mistake_v we_o nor_o the_o malicious_a be_v able_a â—_o misconstrue_v we_o as_o for_o instance_n â—_o affirm_v that_o we_o be_v mystical_o unite_v uâ—to_o christ_n and_o thereby_o become_v one_o wiâ—_n he_o this_o be_v a_o most_o high_a and_o most_o undoubted_a truth_n but_o to_o say_v that_o we_o aâ—_n goded_a and_o chri_v as_o some_o have_v goâ—_n about_o to_o express_v this_o ineffable_a mystery_n in_o sweet_a and_o sugar-word_n this_o have_v beeâ—_n the_o occasion_n of_o that_o familistical_a blasphemy_n and_o nonsense_n that_o have_v invade_v â—_o many_o part_n of_o the_o nation_n we_o must_v observe_v and_o consider_v also_o that_o the_o sense_n anâ—_n meaning_n of_o many_o expression_n vary_v anâ—_n alter_v from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o werâ—_n use_v those_o very_a word_n that_o be_v welâ—_n use_v some_o age_n since_o in_o matter_n of_o divinity_n and_o religion_n can_v now_o be_v use_n without_o appearance_n of_o evil_n in_o they_o because_o now_o their_o signification_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v then_o i_o will_v instance_n but_o in_o one_o and_o that_o be_v concern_v the_o merit_v of_o good_a work_n it_o be_v truâ—_n the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n do_v hold_v there_o be_v merit_n in_o good_a work_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v clear_a also_o by_o their_o write_n that_o the_o word_n merit_n do_v not_o then_o signify_v as_o now_o it_o do_v than_o it_o signify_v only_a rewardableness_n and_o when_o any_o maintain_v that_o work_v merit_v the_o common_a sense_n of_o they_o all_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o their_o work_n shall_v be_v reward_v by_o god_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o they_o do_v affirm_v but_o now_o the_o word_n merit_n signify_v desert_n in_o work_n arise_v from_o the_o eqruality_n that_o be_v in_o they_o to_o the_o reward_n propound_v and_o promise_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o now_o to_o assert_v that_o work_n have_v merit_n in_o they_o be_v very_o unsafe_a and_o erroneous_a which_o whilst_o the_o papist_n do_v they_o do_v indeed_o still_o retain_v the_o expression_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n but_o the_o sense_n be_v go_v that_o be_v they_o still_o hold_v fast_o the_o feather_n when_o the_o bird_n be_v fly_v away_o we_o shall_v therefore_o beware_v in_o our_o discourse_n of_o the_o doubtful_a thing_n of_o religion_n that_o we_o venture_v not_o upon_o those_o phrase_n and_o expression_n that_o either_o border_n upon_o error_n or_o that_o may_v likely_o lead_v into_o error_n and_o true_o the_o generality_n of_o
one_o if_o a_o evil_a thought_n rise_v up_o in_o our_o heart_n we_o can_v of_o ourselves_o so_o much_o as_o think_v that_o that_o thought_n be_v evil_a nor_o think_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v suppress_v and_o stifle_v and_o much_o less_o can_v we_o then_o of_o ourselves_o suppress_v any_o sin_n and_o what_o shall_v we_o do_v under_o this_o utter_a impotency_n and_o inability_n but_o call_v in_o divine_a help_n and_o assistance_n our_o sufficiency_n be_v of_o god_n why_o now_o yet_o in_o this_o we_o can_v think_v our_o sufficiency_n to_o be_v of_o god_n nor_o can_v we_o depend_v upon_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o god_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o do_v it_o for_o it_o be_v god_n say_v the_o apostle_n that_o work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o own_o good_a pleasure_n both_o to_o think_v and_o to_o act_v so_o you_o have_v it_o in_o philippian_n 2.12_o so_o that_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o will_v not_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n that_o both_o the_o first_o motion_n and_o the_o whole_a succeed_a progress_n of_o the_o soul_n either_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o duty_n or_o to_o the_o resistance_n of_o sin_n be_v whole_o from_o god_n almighty_a power_n engage_v for_o they_o and_o strengthen_v they_o to_o the_o one_o and_o for_o the_o other_o second_o another_o demonstration_n of_o this_o truth_n shall_v be_v from_o the_o common_a experience_n of_o all_o have_v you_o not_o find_v sometime_o that_o you_o can_v with_o holy_a scorn_n and_o disdain_n reject_v those_o very_a temptation_n to_o sin_n that_o at_o other_o time_n when_o god_n have_v absent_v himself_o from_o you_o when_o he_o have_v withdraw_v his_o power_n and_o grace_n they_o have_v sad_o prevail_v upon_o you_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o commission_n of_o some_o dare_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n have_v you_o not_o find_v it_o to_o be_v so_o what_o else_o be_v this_o but_o a_o evident_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v not_o your_o own_o but_o god_n power_n that_o keep_v you_o from_o the_o worst_a sin_n we_o may_v conclude_v by_o our_o fall_n when_o god_n do_v forsake_v we_o that_o when_o we_o stand_v we_o stand_v not_o by_o our_o own_o strength_n but_o by_o his_o â—_o why_o do_v you_o not_o always_o fall_v or_o why_o do_v you_o not_o always_o stand_v will_v you_o say_v it_o be_v because_o we_o be_v not_o always_o alike_o tempt_v if_o you_o be_v not_o why_o then_o since_o the_o devil_n be_v always_o alike_o malicious_a even_o herein_o appear_v the_o mercy_n and_o power_n of_o god_n who_o almighty_o rebuke_n he_o but_o when_o you_o be_v alike_o tempt_v whence_o proceed_v it_o that_o sometime_o you_o yield_v and_o sometime_o you_o resist_v and_o conquer_v but_o only_o from_o hence_o sometime_o god_n be_v present_a to_o assist_v you_o and_o sometime_o he_o depart_v from_o you_o to_o humble_v you_o he_o be_v present_a sometime_o that_o you_o may_v not_o utter_o sink_v and_o perish_v under_o your_o sin_n and_o he_o absent_v himself_o sometime_o that_o you_o may_v be_v sensible_a by_o your_o fall_n that_o former_o it_o be_v not_o your_o own_o but_o his_o power_n that_o preserve_v you_o and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o best_a christian_n to_o keep_v themselves_o from_o presumptuous_a sin_n but_o god_n power_n only_o now_o by_o this_o time_n possible_o it_o may_v arise_v up_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o some_o profane_a one_o object_n to_o make_v the_o same_o objection_n as_o some_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o election_n if_o it_o be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o my_o own_o power_n to_o keep_v myself_o from_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n yea_o of_o the_o great_a and_o worst_a sin_n but_o only_a god_n power_n why_o do_v he_o yet_o complain_v why_o do_v he_o yet_o find_v fault_n with_o we_o for_o do_v that_o which_o we_o can_v but_o do_v unless_o he_o himself_o preserve_v we_o from_o it_o i_o may_v here_o take_v occasion_n to_o vindicate_v the_o equity_n and_o righteousness_n of_o answ_n god_n in_o require_v from_o we_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n that_o he_o bestow_v upon_o our_o nature_n at_o first_o and_o which_o we_o lose_v only_o through_o our_o own_o wilful_a default_n but_o i_o have_v do_v this_o divers_a time_n already_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o at_o present_a brief_o consider_v what_o power_n man_n have_v still_o lest_o they_o both_o in_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n to_o keep_v themselves_o from_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o in_o a_o few_o particular_n brief_o first_o then_o clear_v it_o be_v that_o whatever_o power_n man_n have_v either_o to_o natural_n or_o to_o spiritual_n yet_o they_o can_v act_v or_o exercise_v that_o power_n without_o exciting_a influence_n from_o god_n to_o quicken_v and_o rouse_v it_o who_o will_v say_v that_o a_o man_n that_o sit_v have_v not_o power_n to_o rise_v and_o that_o a_o man_n that_o stand_v have_v not_o power_n to_o walk_v and_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o neither_o shall_v rise_v nor_o walk_v unless_o god_n move_v and_o excite_v and_o rouse_v that_o power_n of_o he_o and_o put_v it_o upon_o that_o work_n for_o in_o he_o as_o we_o live_v so_o we_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v so_o than_o the_o power_n to_o use_v our_o power_n be_v from_o god_n quicken_a enliven_a and_o actuate_a of_o we_o second_o a_o child_n of_o god_n who_o be_v regenerate_v and_o bear_v again_o have_v a_o power_n to_o do_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o sin_n because_o he_o have_v a_o gracious_a principle_n wrought_v within_o he_o and_o he_o act_n for_o a_o right_a end_n even_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n but_o yet_o this_o withal_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v never_o so_o act_v without_o the_o special_a aid_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n quicken_a and_o stir_v up_o his_o grace_n three_o a_o man_n in_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n have_v no_o power_n to_o keep_v himself_o from_o sin_n in_o general_a that_o be_v he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v sinful_a for_o whatever_o action_n be_v not_o sinful_a must_v flow_v from_o a_o gracious_a principle_n and_o must_v be_v direct_v to_o a_o right_a end_n which_o no_o action_n of_o a_o wicked_a man_n can_v be_v for_o both_o the_o first_o principle_n and_o also_o the_o last_o end_n of_o every_o action_n that_o a_o wicked_a man_n do_v be_v carnal_a self_n four_o though_o wicked_a man_n have_v not_o a_o power_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v not_o sinful_a yet_o they_o have_v a_o power_n to_o resist_v this_o or_o that_o particular_a sin_n they_o be_v sad_o necessitate_v to_o act_v within_o the_o sphere_n of_o sin_n that_o be_v whatever_o they_o act_n be_v sinful_a but_o yet_o they_o may_v as_o it_o be_v choose_v which_o sin_n they_o will_v act_v neither_o do_v this_o overthrow_n what_o be_v deliver_v before_o for_o when_o they_o choose_v a_o less_o sin_n rather_o than_o a_o great_a when_o they_o avoid_v the_o commission_n of_o a_o dare_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n and_o choose_v rather_o to_o perform_v a_o duty_n this_o proceed_v not_o mere_o from_o their_o own_o power_n but_o from_o the_o power_n and_o influence_n of_o god_n raise_v and_o exciting_a their_o power_n that_o man_n choose_v to_o feed_v upon_o wholesome_a meat_n rather_o than_o upon_o poison_n though_o they_o have_v a_o free_a will_n to_o do_v so_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o mere_o proceed_v from_o their_o free_a will_n but_o from_o god_n guide_a and_o exciting_a that_o free_a will_n to_o choose_v wholesome_a food_n rather_o than_o poison_v so_o be_v it_o here_o what_o sin_n man_n avoid_v be_v not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o his_o own_o power_n though_o a_o power_n he_o have_v but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v only_o to_o god_n common_a or_o to_o his_o special_a grace_n and_o influence_n whereby_o that_o power_n that_o will_v otherwise_o lie_v dead_a and_o unacted_a be_v quicken_v and_o actuate_v in_o we_o what_o difference_n be_v there_o betwixt_o a_o man_n that_o have_v no_o power_n and_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o power_n but_o yet_o can_v use_v it_o true_o such_o be_v we_o what_o power_n we_o have_v against_o sin_n we_o can_v make_v use_n of_o it_o till_o god_n raise_v and_o act_v we_o by_o his_o exciting_a grace_n therefore_o have_v we_o still_o need_v to_o pray_v with_o david_n lord_n do_v thou_o keep_v i_o from_o sin_n for_o though_o i_o have_v a_o power_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o latent_fw-la and_o sleepy_a power_n and_o will_v not_o be_v available_a till_o thou_o do_v awaken_v