Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n best_a grace_n zion_n 16 3 8.7549 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A69777 The intercourses of divine love betwixt Christ and his Church, or, The particular believing soul metaphorically expressed by Solomon in the first chapter of the Canticles, or song of songs : opened and applied in several sermons, upon that whole chapter : in which the excellencies of Christ, the yernings of his gospels towards believers, under various circumstances, the workings of their hearts towards, and in, communion with him, with many other gospel propositions of great import to souls, are handles / by John Collinges ... Collinges, John, 1623-1690. 1683 (1683) Wing C5324; ESTC R16693 839,627 984

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motion_n of_o the_o affection_n as_o it_o be_v say_v sechem_n heart_n cleave_v to_o dinah_n but_o i_o extend_v it_o further_o to_o all_o overt_a act_n by_o which_o this_o inward_a affection_n may_v be_v discover_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n as_o we_o say_v to_o our_o friend_n i_o will_v stick_v to_o you_o or_o i_o will_v stand_v by_o you_o christ_n perform_v his_o part_n he_o stick_v he_o cleave_v to_o the_o believer_n in_o all_o its_o spiritual_a combat_n and_o danger_n with_o or_o from_o the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n thus_o must_v we_o cleave_v to_o he_o four_o it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o conjugal_a communion_n that_o the_o wife_n do_v nothing_o but_o she_o will_v first_o acquaint_v her_o husband_n with_o it_o ask_v his_o counsel_n take_v his_o direction_n the_o husband_n also_o impart_v much_o of_o his_o counsel_n to_o his_o wife_n it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o our_o communion_n true_a communion_n with_o christ_n to_o do_v nothing_o without_o take_v counsel_n of_o he_o in_o his_o word_n without_o ask_v his_o direction_n in_o prayer_n in_o every_o difficulty_n where_o we_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a direction_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o fly_v to_o he_o by_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n be_v your_o soul_n willing_a to_o entertain_v such_o a_o communion_n with_o christ_n as_o this_o be_v be_v you_o desirous_a of_o it_o do_v you_o pray_v for_o it_o this_o speak●eth_v well_o for_o the_o union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o your_o soul_n nothing_o less_o than_o this_o will_n 3_o this_o discourse_n may_v be_v further_a useful_a to_o some_o soul_n that_o it_o may_v be_v can_v satisfy_v themselves_o in_o that_o communion_n which_o they_o have_v with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n they_o will_v willing_o that_o christ_n shall_v impart_v more_o of_o his_o lovingkindness_n and_o of_o his_o power_n to_o their_o soul_n and_o they_o be_v trouble_v that_o they_o can_v no_o more_o free_o no_o more_o full_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o he_o their_o heart_n be_v not_o unite_v enough_o to_o love_n and_o fear_n god_n and_o indeed_o the_o best_a soul_n be_v seldom_o satisfy_v in_o the_o reception_n of_o grace_n or_o in_o the_o act_n of_o it_o now_o such_o soul_n as_o be_v overmuch_o trouble_v in_o this_o case_n trouble_v to_o that_o degree_n as_o for_o want_v of_o degree_n to_o suspect_v all_o the_o truth_n of_o grace_n in_o their_o soul_n this_o may_v be_v some_o satisfaction_n to_o hear_v that_o it_o speak_v a_o soul_n to_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v true_o willing_a sincere_o desirous_a much_o in_o prayer_n for_o those_o degree_n of_o near_a communion_n with_o christ_n which_o it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o in_o earthly_a marriage_n three_o thing_n be_v require_v 1._o consent_v of_o party_n 2._o consent_v of_o parent_n 3._o publication_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n the_o first_o alone_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o union_n the_o second_o to_o make_v it_o a_o perfect_o lawful_a act._n the_o three_o only_a to_o avoid_v scandal_n and_o to_o keep_v up_o civil_a order_n in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o spiritual_a marriage_n the_o consent_n of_o party_n make_v the_o union_n christ_n consent_n to_o be_v unite_v to_o thy_o soul_n be_v evidence_v in_o his_o word_n declare_v by_o we_o who_o be_v his_o proxy_n to_o espouse_v you_o to_o this_o husband_n if_o thy_o soul_n also_o true_o consent_v if_o thou_o true_o desire_v this_o union_n and_o that_o communion_n which_o follow_v and_o aught_o to_o follow_v it_o the_o match_n be_v make_v thou_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n though_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v not_o a_o publication_n of_o it_o to_o thy_o own_o soul_n much_o less_o to_o the_o world_n 4._o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o a_o word_n of_o exhortation_n to_o labour_v for_o this_o evidence_n of_o grace_n that_o you_o may_v be_v true_o willing_a to_o true_o desirous_a of_o such_o a_o communion_n with_o christ_n as_o i_o have_v be_v describe_v you_o that_o be_v yet_o stranger_n to_o it_o labour_n for_o the_o beginning_n of_o it_o you_o that_o find_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o labour_v to_o uphold_v it_o and_o labour_n for_o the_o perfection_n of_o it_o to_o the_o first_o by_o way_n of_o counsel_n i_o will_v only_o speak_v a_o few_o thing_n 1._o labour_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o your_o sad_a condition_n till_o grace_n have_v bring_v you_o into_o this_o better_a state_n christ_n tell_v the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n she_o have_v have_v many_o husband_n and_o he_o who_o she_o then_o enjoy_v be_v not_o her_o husband_n unregenerate_a man_n have_v many_o paramour_n for_o there_o be_v no_o soul_n but_o cleave_v to_o something_o one_o man_n heart_n cleave_v to_o his_o pleasure_n another_o to_o his_o profit_n but_o all_o these_o be_v not_o the_o reasonable_a soul_n husband_n the_o soul_n can_v feed_v upon_o these_o thing_n let_v a_o woman_n be_v marry_v to_o a_o man_n and_o run_v away_o from_o he_o she_o may_v have_v another_o paramour_n but_o he_o be_v not_o her_o husband_n it_o be_v man_n case_n he_o be_v in_o creation_n unite_v to_o god_n he_o be_v run_v away_o from_o god_n and_o follow_v many_o lover_n but_o none_o of_o these_o be_v the_o soul_n husband_n o_o therefore_o return_v to_o your_o first_o husband_n what_o can_v you_o imagine_v god_n shall_v do_v for_o any_o of_o your_o soul_n more_o than_o any_o one_o of_o you_o will_v do_v for_o a_o wife_n that_o have_v run_v away_o from_o you_o and_o cleave_v to_o another_o man_n 2._o look_v as_o the_o woman_n that_o want_v her_o husband_n have_v none_o that_o so_o natural_o care_v for_o she_o none_o that_o will_v be_v a_o cover_n to_o her_o head_n or_o a_o light_n to_o her_o eye_n so_o neither_o have_v the_o soul_n in_o its_o state_n of_o disunion_n with_o god_n any_o that_o will_v care_n for_o it_o as_o to_o its_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a concern_v i_o may_v add_v the_o infinite_a advantage_n of_o this_o union_n and_o communion_n i_o remember_v the_o argument_n use_v by_o hamor_n and_o sechem_n to_o persuade_v their_o people_n into_o a_o willingness_n to_o be_v circumcise_v that_o sechem_n may_v be_v marry_v into_o jacob_n family_n shall_v not_o say_v they_o their_o cattle_n and_o substance_n and_o all_o that_o they_o have_v be_v we_o only_a consent_n to_o they_o shall_v not_o the_o grace_n and_o glory_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v you_o only_a consent_n to_o he_o and_o be_v willing_a to_o a_o communion_n with_o he_o but_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n that_o must_v persuade_v japhet_n to_o come_v and_o to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o shem._n no_o man_n come_v to_o the_o son_n but_o he_o who_o the_o father_n draw_v and_o while_o there_o be_v a_o spiritual_a union_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o willingness_n in_o a_o soul_n to_o any_o near_a communion_n with_o christ_n we_o may_v use_v argument_n with_o soul_n estrange_v from_o god_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o he_o and_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v till_o god_n concur_v with_o the_o work_n of_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v be_v of_o no_o force_n let_v i_o therefore_o turn_v to_o such_o with_o who_o this_o mystical_a union_n be_v make_v nor_o shall_v i_o need_v use_v word_n with_o any_o such_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o a_o consent_n or_o willingness_n to_o or_o desire_v of_o this_o near_a communion_n with_o christ_n which_o i_o have_v be_v discourse_v there_o be_v no_o such_o soul_n but_o must_v be_v willing_a must_v be_v desirous_a of_o it_o but_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o which_o have_v attain_v there_o be_v no_o such_o soul_n but_o have_v attain_v something_o nor_o any_o that_o have_v attain_v to_o perfection_n none_o but_o may_v receive_v from_o christ_n more_o than_o it_o have_v receive_v none_o but_o desire_v his_o heart_n may_v be_v more_o in_o subjection_n to_o christ_n than_o it_o be_v the_o way_n further_o to_o attain_v be_v prayer_n right_o order_v prayer_n it_o be_v the_o spouse_n that_o speak_v in_o the_o text_n she_o have_v attain_v she_o be_v already_o unite_v to_o her_o spiritual_a bridegroom_n but_o yet_o she_o find_v her_o soul_n in_o a_o continue_a need_n of_o his_o influence_n and_o further_a token_n for_o good_a to_o be_v show_v unto_o she_o for_o these_o she_o use_v prayer_n as_o a_o apposite_a mean_n only_o we_o may_v ask_v and_o not_o receive_v because_o we_o ask_v amiss_o let_v we_o look_v over_o the_o form_n of_o the_o spouse_n petition_v and_o see_v what_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o thence_o to_o guide_v our_o soul_n in_o our_o application_n to_o god_n first_o the_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o future_a tense_n which_o be_v often_o use_v for_o the_o 〈◊〉_d mood_n in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o may_v indifferent_o
church_n understand_v it_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n which_o also_o suit_v with_o david_n high_a commendation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o his_o 19_o psal_n and_o in_o the_o 119._o more_o large_o 2._o but_o read_v it_o love_v possible_o they_o may_v better_o interpret_v it_o who_o understand_v it_o concern_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n we_o either_o understand_v that_o goodness_n which_o be_v essential_o in_o he_o as_o he_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o grace_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v in_o he_o or_o that_o goodness_n which_o he_o communicate_v to_o his_o people_n in_o the_o free_a pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o acceptation_n of_o their_o person_n or_o 3_o dly_a those_o fruit_n of_o his_o spirit_n which_o abide_v and_o dwell_v in_o we_o such_o as_o faith_n love_n loc_n i_o find_v some_o interpreter_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a interpret_n the_o text_n of_o the_o latter_a so_o gregorius_n mag._n that_o love_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o my_o brethren_n which_o thou_o have_v wrought_v in_o my_o heart_n but_o beza_n observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o usual_a to_o saint_n to_o commend_v their_o own_o grace_n and_o therefore_o doubtless_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v and_o remain_v in_o christ_n subjective_o of_o which_o we_o be_v the_o object_n and_o to_o this_o sense_n agree_v the_o most_o sober_a and_o spiritual_a interpreter_n make_v the_o phrase_n to_o signify_v that_o sweet_a pleasure_n which_o the_o soul_n take_v from_o the_o feel_n of_o christ_n love_n and_o possible_o this_o be_v that_o vis_fw-fr lactandi_fw-la that_o suckle_a virtue_n which_o delrio_n mention_v which_o christ_n put_v forth_o refresh_v the_o soul_n of_o his_o saint_n with_o his_o consolation_n the_o word_n be_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n by_o which_o the_o hebrew_n be_v wont_a not_o only_o to_o express_v a_o multitude_n of_o thing_n but_o also_o the_o infinite_a virtue_n and_o dimension_n of_o any_o thing_n you_o must_v not_o think_v say_v beza_n that_o in_o the_o one_o essence_n of_o god_n there_o be_v more_o numerical_a love_n no_o in_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v one_o and_o he_o be_v one_o but_o his_o grace_n be_v manifold_a in_o respect_n of_o our_o feel_n and_o apprehension_n and_o he_o deal_v out_o his_o love_n to_o we_o in_o different_a measure_n according_a to_o our_o different_a necessity_n or_o capacity_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v with_o some_o of_o the_o heb._n doctor_n understand_v here_o the_o concrete_a by_o the_o abstract_n and_o interpret_v god_n love_n to_o be_v his_o belove_a people_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n who_o he_o prefer_v before_o wine_n viz._n before_o any_o other_o nation_n threescore_o and_o ten_o nation_n to_o which_o purpose_n by_o their_o cabalistical_a art_n they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o numerical_a letter_n for_o 70_o in_o the_o word_n which_o we_o translate_v wine_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o so_o fond_a and_o improbable_a a_o notion_n have_v therefore_o speak_v enough_o for_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o subject_a thy_o love_n let_v we_o endeavour_n to_o understand_v what_o be_v praedicat_v of_o this_o subject_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v better_o than_o wine_n good_a before_o wine_n say_v the_o heb._n text_n which_o be_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o their_o dialect_n who_o so_o use_n ordinary_o to_o express_v the_o comparative_a degree_n 1._o 1._o good_a in_o the_o philosophical_a notion_n of_o it_o be_v whatsoever_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o desire_n the_o nature_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o a_o convenience_n and_o sutableness_n of_o the_o thing_n unto_o our_o nature_n which_o make_v it_o desirable_a which_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v either_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o pleasure_n or_o profit_n or_o nobleness_n according_o the_o heb._n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v various_o translate_v merry_a esther_n 1._o 10._o beautiful_a ruth_n 3._o 7._o thy_o love_n be_v more_o good_a i._n e._n more_o sweet_a pleasant_a profitable_a than_o wine_n 2._o 2._o wine_n in_o its_o primary_n signification_n be_v the_o juice_n of_o the_o grape_n who_o proper_a effect_v it_o be_v to_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n merry_a psal_n 104._o 15._o but_o this_o be_v too_o low_a a_o signification_n for_o it_o in_o this_o text._n we_o must_v therefore_o allow_v a_o figure_n the_o hebrew_n be_v wont_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o wine_n to_o express_v all_o other_o delectable_a and_o pleasant_a thing_n hence_o ahashuerus_n his_o feast_n be_v call_v a_o banquet_n of_o wine_n though_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o wine_n be_v all_o the_o guest_n have_v for_o their_o entertainment_n it_o be_v a_o usual_a synecdoche_n to_o express_v all_o thing_n that_o fall_v under_o a_o common_a genus_fw-la by_o some_o eminent_a species_n some_o of_o the_o ancient_a genebrard_n rabbi_n understand_v by_o wine_n here_o quamcunque_fw-la laetitiam_fw-la whatsoever_o be_v pleasant_a and_o acceptable_a and_o in_o that_o sense_n mercer_n and_o the_o best_a of_o modern_a interpreter_n agree_v for_o that_o other_o interpretation_n 4._o which_o some_o make_v of_o it_o who_o understand_v by_o love_n gospel_n doctrine_n and_o by_o wine_n the_o doctrine_n and_o dispensation_n of_o the_o law_n though_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v some_o advantage_n by_o the_o use_n of_o wine_n in_o the_o legal_a oblation_n and_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o the_o doctrine_n and_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v more_o sweet_a and_o perfect_a be_v better_a than_o that_o of_o the_o 1._o law_n which_o bring_v nothing_o to_o perfection_n yet_o i_o can_v think_v it_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o text._n let_v we_o conclude_v then_o that_o the_o word_n be_v the_o language_n either_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n prefer_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o dispensation_n of_o his_o word_n 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call_v to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n for_o humility_n a_o mean_a and_o low_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o beauty_n be_v often_o a_o great_a temptation_n to_o pride_n whether_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o artificial_a the_o daughter_n of_o zion_n be_v haughty_a and_o walk_v with_o stretch_a forth_o neck_n and_o wanton_a eye_n isaiah_n 3._o 16._o spiritual_a beauty_n give_v no_o advantage_n to_o a_o soul_n to_o think_v of_o itself_o above_o what_o it_o ought_v to_o think_v in_o all_o reason_n we_o shall_v have_v be_v some_o cause_n to_o ourselves_o of_o that_o whereof_o we_o glory_n we_o shall_v have_v some_o propriety_n in_o it_o and_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o it_o some_o perfection_n the_o comeliness_n of_o god_n people_n be_v neither_o natural_a nor_o any_o acquest_n of_o their_o own_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o may_v keep_v the_o most_o comely_a of_o god_n child_n humble_a first_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o former_a blackness_n let_v but_o any_o of_o they_o 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that_o do_v not_o see_v enough_o in_o the_o imperfect_a and_o extravagant_a motion_n of_o it_o to_o keep_v he_o humble_a three_o the_o three_o be_v the_o consideration_n from_o whence_o he_o derive_v his_o beauty_n if_o man_n and_o woman_n will_v but_o debate_v a_o little_a with_o their_o own_o reason_n they_o will_v see_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v proud_a of_o a_o comeliness_n arise_v from_o any_o external_a ornament_n it_o be_v something_o beneath_o a_o reasonable_a be_v to_o be_v behold_v to_o a_o stone_n jewel_n be_v no_o more_o or_o a_o little_a earth_n such_o be_v gold_n and_o silver_n a_o plant_n or_o a_o fly_n or_o a_o silkworm_n or_o a_o sheep_n a_o little_a wool_n or_o flax_n for_o
can_v we_o imagine_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v more_o concern_v to_o discover_v our_o own_o vileness_n and_o naughtiness_n than_o god_n grace_n and_o mercy_n but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v more_o full_o in_o my_o handle_n the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o proposition_n sermon_n xxxv_o canticle_n 1._o 5._o i_o be_o black_a but_o comely_a o_o you_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o proposition_n i_o raise_v from_o these_o word_n i_o have_v no_o more_o time_n in_o my_o last_o discourse_n then_o to_o handle_v the_o former_a prop._n there_o be_v time_n when_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o own_o their_o grace_n and_o to_o declare_v what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o their_o soul_n there_o be_v such_o time_n when_o good_a christian_n must_v not_o only_o say_v they_o be_v black_a but_o also_o own_o that_o they_o be_v comely_a that_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n appear_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o holy_a writ_n psal_n 66._o 16._o come_v and_o hear_v all_o you_o that_o fear_v god_n and_o i_o will_v declare_v what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o my_o soul_n and_o indeed_o what_o be_v most_o of_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n but_o declaration_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o paul_n speech_n before_o festus_n and_o agrippa_n etc._n etc._n but_o whatsoever_o i_o intend_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v bring_v under_o the_o explication_n apply_v it_o to_o the_o particular_a case_n the_o question_n be_v qu._n when_o and_o in_o what_o case_n be_v christian_n concern_v to_o own_o acknowledge_v and_o declare_v unto_o other_o their_o grace_n and_o what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o their_o soul_n as_o i_o say_v of_o the_o other_o piece_n of_o a_o christian_n duty_n so_o i_o shall_v say_v of_o this_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n 1._o to_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o god_n 2._o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 3._o to_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n sometime_o 1._o to_o god_n this_o be_v their_o unquestionable_a duty_n at_o all_o time_n and_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o the_o frequent_a practice_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n if_o we_o have_v any_o comeliness_n it_o be_v christ_n comeliness_n put_v upon_o we_o and_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v have_v the_o acknowledgement_n of_o it_o to_o his_o honour_n and_o glory_n but_o of_o this_o there_o be_v no_o question_n neither_o be_v this_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o text_n she_o be_v here_o speak_v not_o unto_o god_n but_o to_o the_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n also_o in_o some_o case_n to_o own_o our_o comeliness_n through_o grace_n unto_o man_n 2._o to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o particular_a christian_n 1._o to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o in_o two_o case_n 1._o upon_o our_o admission_n into_o it_o 2._o upon_o our_o readmission_n and_o restore_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o we_o find_v in_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o church_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v ordinary_o such_o a_o confession_n and_o acknowledgement_n it_o be_v say_v mat._n 3._o that_o those_o who_o be_v baptise_a of_o john_n be_v baptise_a in_o jordan_n confess_v their_o sin_n matth._n 3._o 6._o after_o christ_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n we_o read_v of_o the_o three_o thousand_o soul_n add_v to_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v first_o prick_v at_o the_o heart_n and_o say_v to_o peter_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v and_o in_o act_n 8._o 36._o when_o the_o eunuch_n say_v to_o philip_n here_o be_v water_n what_o do_v hinder_v i_o to_o be_v baptize_v philip_n answer_v if_o thou_o believe_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n thou_o may_v and_o he_o answer_v and_o say_v i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o those_o first_o admission_n into_o the_o gospel_n church_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o profession_n of_o a_o faith_n in_o christ_n be_v require_v as_o necessary_a and_o previous_a to_o baptism_n by_o which_o person_n be_v admit_v into_o a_o fellowship_n with_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o although_o the_o first_o admission_n into_o gospel_n church_n be_v only_o of_o grow_v person_n able_a to_o make_v confession_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n which_o be_v always_o do_v upon_o such_o admission_n yet_o the_o child_n of_o such_o person_n so_o baptise_a have_v be_v always_o take_v to_o be_v within_o the_o covenant_n and_o so_o member_n of_o the_o church_n also_o but_o whether_o complete_a member_n or_o no_o have_v be_v a_o question_n and_o indeed_o general_o deny_v and_o something_o further_o require_v of_o they_o before_o they_o have_v be_v take_v into_o a_o full_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o supper_n for_o that_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v a_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n 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