Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	body_n	bread_n	wine_n	4,141	5	8.0622	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39163	A vindication of the ministers of Christ from the slander cast on them that they are house-creepers, because they sometimes preach in private houses : also proving by the Scripture who are house-creepers, and the evil they do where their corrupt doctrine is received / held forth in two sermons on 2 Tim. 3. 6., by W.E.	W. E.	1673 (1673)	Wing E44; ESTC R36132	30,217	55

establish their Justification by works they bring the same Argument that the Apostle brought in another sense The same way that Abraham was justified the same way are all the faithful justified But Abraham was justified by works therefore by works are all the faithful justified But compare this with Pauls Epistle to the Romans chap. 4. v. 2 3. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness What was counted why that which Abraham believed in and rested on that is the righteousness of Christ but it was before men only that Abraham was justified by works for we must observe that the Apostle Paul speaketh of Justification before God and the Apostle James of Justification before men so that in confounding these lieth the subtilty of the adversary Now on this account they will bring Scripture poor people that are ignorant and unskilful in the Word of God when they hear a man bring Scripture to confirm his errors Oh say they he proved it out of Scripture though it be directly contrary to Gods Word Likewise they bring that place Mat. 25.34 For I was hungry c. But it is as clear as the Sun that that place is not to be so understood as if their works were the cause why Christ did bring them to glory but those works were mention'd as fruits and effects of faith which were evident to all faith it self is secret and discernable to none but God himself but works are discernable to all and therefore it was meet that Christ passing a sentence of Acquittance and Absolution on them should recite it to all even as a Judge doth recite all that by which the person is absolved so Christ doth here shewing that their faith is not a dead faith but a living saith that did work by love and carried them to obedience to God so that this is in respect of their Justification before the whole world Again they will urge Scripture as for the manner of Worship yea though they have no Word of God for it yet they will tell you that their Ceremonies are for the beautifying and adorning of the Church and for decency in the Worship of God that things are not to be done confusedly but in order Whereas indeed those things are most orderly that we have Christs Word for and that is most decent that Christ thinketh most fit and decent for Christ being the Lord of the House that is decent which he appointeth in the House But alas Men when they hear a Scripture produced though they do not consider the thing that is there intended yet are soon startled and hence are people driven into the most abominable opinions As for instance to receive that abhorred Doctrine of the Popish Mass Why say the Papists doth not Christ expressely say This is my Body And is not Christ the Author of truth And ought we to question any thing that Christ hath said Whenas Christ speaketh figuratively that the Bread and Wine were figures and did represent spiritually the Body and Blood of Christ Christ speaketh Sacramentally and by way of a Figure that is usual in the Scriptures as sometimes Christ calleth himself A Door and A Vine So is Circumcision called A Covenant And God saith that those that were Circumcised had broke his Covenant because Circumcision was the sign of the Covenant So that it cannot be the meaning of Christ that h● should intend that the Bread and Wine was his natural Body and Blood for he was then alive and visible before his disciples 2. Because their doctrine doth suit to the corruption that is in mens hearts Now those that we are speaking of are not able to see the evil and the strong inclinations of their h●arts to that which is evil but being that which doth suit to their corrupt hearts therefore they receive it For herein lieth the difference between the Ministers of Christ and false teachers The Ministers of Christ holding forth the truths of Christ have nothing of Man to lay hold on for corrupt doctrine doth suit with corrupt natures such a doctrine as this is to extol Justification by VVorks or at least that works have some share in it this doth exceedingly take with corrupt hearts Also to worship God after the Inventions of Men and to frame a manner of worship of our own this is that which mens hearts are in love withal they think that by this they deserve at Gods Hand and such corrupt doctrines they will drink in as sweet wine though in the end they will find it a bitter poison 3. Because they are ignorant and not able to understand the great danger that is in such corrupt doctrine how much it tendeth to the dishonour of God and how greatly it provoketh the Lord-Those that are ignorant do little think that the setting up Mans works in the point of Justification doth exceedingly affront the Divine Majesty such slight the Love of God in the Gift of his Son for if we are able to justifie our selves what need have we of Christ Christ is also exceedingly provoked by setting up the rags of their own righteousness as Co-Partners with his righteousness nay to set it above the righteousness of Christ this is that which doth exceedingly provoke him therefore the Prophet Isaiah speaketh to such in the Name of Christ This ye shall have at my hands ye shall lie down in sorrow They render the Spirit of God a Liar who when he hath declared that there is no salvation in any other but in Christ alone and that this is the great design of God that he will magnifie his own grace and abase man that no flesh shall glory in his sight I say they give a lie to the Spirit of God who assert their own righteousness for Justification Again they do not know the danger of the corrupt mixture of the devices of men with the Justitutions of Christ they know not what danger it is to oppose Christ in his own house wherof he is the Lord these men knew it not Therefore they are advised Ps 2 to kiss the Son I tell you to go to disenthrone Christ and to rule in his house is another thing then men are aware of Thus you see the reason why ignorant persons are so easily seduced and drawn into errour The Reasons why they prevail on such that are in bondage under some lust or lusts may be these 1. Because they suit their doctrines to the lusts of men that harden their hearts and strengthen their hands in their iniquities that is the reason why corrupt doctrine is embraced by such The false prophets saw well enough that Ahab had a mind to go up to Ramoth Gilead and they had a minde to please Ahab Oh say they Go up and prosper So those prophets in Jeremiah's time saw that the people had a good mind to live loosely and prophanely but they were terrified by 〈◊〉 Prophet Jeremiah see how they suit their doctrine to their lusts Peace shall be

unto you What think ye that God will bring in the Heathe upon you that are his people that God will destroy his Temple And thus it is with the subtile J●suits they carry on their ways so that they foster m●n in their wickedness though they have a shew of holiness yet they know how to indulge men in their sinful lusts and liberties they have devised ways for it that according to their principles men may live loosely and licentiously and yet all may be well enough with them 2. They usually prevail with such because such as these have their hearts set on their lusts As for instance those whose hearts are set on the world they are resolved to encrease in the world they will rather part with Christ then their covetousness You know how it was with the young man in the Gospel he would have Christ and his riches too and so it is with many they are willing to have Heaven and the world too but if they must part with one of them they will part with any thing rather then with their lust The covetous mans Gold the ambitious mans vain glory command their hearts and consciences they will rather condescend to any thing though contrary to their own principles then part with their lusts And therefore it is no wonder if such persons miscarry The reason why God doth give such over to be deluded is because they reject the truth as in 2 Thes 2.10 They received not the love of the truth they loved not the truth they embraced it not with their hearts it follows God shal send them strong delusion When men please themselves in any sinful way and there rest it s a dangerous condition and God in his just judgement may give such over to be deceived You know how it was with Ahab the Prophets told him he should go up and prosper but when Micajah came he set the truth before him but his lusts liked it not his pride and ambition and his desire to enlarge his territories caused him to hate Micajah When men have had the truth set before them and have been convinced thereof and their understandings somewhat inlightned and yet they have neglected this light God may in his just judgment let darkness overspread their understandings God may say thus to such a soul Seeing thou wilt not beleeve the truth thou shalt beleeve a lye USE 1. This gives us to see the sad condition of all those that are ignorant of Gods Word that are not able to discern between truth and errour between the mind of God and the grosse conceits of Satan and his instruments It must needs be dangerous in these last times if you consider these Scriptures Mat. 24.11 Many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many What a sad and dreadfull thing is it that when false Prophets shall arise when they shall come and say here is Christ and there is Christ and yet he is not among either 2 Pet. 2.1 There shall be such that shall bring in damnable Heresies What a sad condition then I say must such soules be in that live in such times when such pernicious seducers are abroad and they are not able to discern between truth and errour You would say that that man were in a sad condition that did set forth some precious things of great value to sell and a multitude did flock about him with false Coyn and he were not able to discer● between what was good and what was false every one that did see him would say that man will be utterly undone So it is here what a sad condition is this when men shall come with corrupt and unsound Doctrine and shall deceive them and they are not able to discern the precious truths of Christ from those damnable Doctrines Alas in what a condition are the ignorant when men shall come after this manner to them and tell them that by their improvement of their natural abilities and that common light which God hath given them they shall obtain the love and favour of God and shall in time come to partake of everlasting life and glory What a dreadfull thing is this and yet this goeth down currant with those that doe not know the Scripture when it is manifest that we are dead and that the light that is in us is grosse darkness that unless he that is the light of light doth inlighten us by the light of his blessed spirit we are never able to discern spirituall things So when men come and tell them that by their good works by their repentance and works of righteousness they may do away their sins and obtain Gods favour When men do bring these things with fair glosses and pretences colouring them with the Scripture they are easily carried away with them Oh say they these are good men they bring the Word of God for what they say Again if they come with such Doctrine as this that men ought not to rush presently into the presence of Christ but they must make friends by some Mediators as by the Saints that are departed and by this means they may be interceded for that they may be heard of him Oh say they this doth not derogate from the honour of Christ he hath the honour of all we do But it is rudeness thus to rush immediately into his presence This carrieth far with ignorant people for here is a fair pretence and shiew of humility though it is clear in the Scriptures that they bring a great deale of dishonour to Christ when they take away the honour of his Mediatorship and put it on Saints and Angels We cannot dishonour Christ more then when we rob him of the glory of his grace incouraging us at all times to come to him and that we should come to the Father in and through the Son It is not for the sake of Saints and Angels but for the sake of Christ alone that we are accepted of God Again when they bring such abomin●●●e Doctrine as this that we must pray before Images Oh say they we pray not to the Images but these are serviceable to keep our affections on God whereas they place a holyness in such things and make that a help which God hath not commanded but expressly forbidden And what a sad thing is it when soules are drawn aside to embrace such impious Doctrine as this that after the words of conscecration the bread is the very Body of Christ and argue thus This is the Word of Christ that is truth himself and will you ●be● Christ Again others that are not so horribly grosse have other ways to deceive pressing men to worship God after another way then that which God hath appointed If you ask them what ground they have for such and such needless ceremonies Why say they this is decency and we must do all things decently and in order Alas how many poor soules are deceived herein and become zealous contenders for Ceremonies and more earnest in them then