Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	faith_n	matter_n	4,045	5	5.7347	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59556	A sermon preached on the day of the public fast, April the 11th, 1679, at St. Margarets Westminster, before the Honourable House of Commons by John Sharp ...	Sharp, John, 1645-1714.	1679 (1679)	Wing S2984; ESTC R17020	18,372	44

speak_v of_o we_o at_o this_o day_n we_o be_v not_o much_o degenerate_v from_o the_o purity_n of_o christianity_n as_o to_o doctrinal_n our_o church_n may_v vie_v with_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o orthodoxy_n and_o conformity_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o bless_a be_v god_n name_n this_o light_n be_v not_o put_v under_o a_o bushel_n there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n wherein_o the_o divine-truth_n have_v be_v more_o public_o and_o more_o pure_o teach_v or_o the_o sacrament_n more_o right_o and_o due_o administer_v than_o among_o we_o and_o no_o church_n wherein_o knowledge_n have_v more_o abound_v among_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o than_o it_o do_v now_o in_o we_o but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v their_o corrnption_n in_o manner_n and_o this_o be_v the_o point_n we_o be_v now_o concern_v in_o and_o which_o it_o be_v fit_a the_o whole_a nation_n shall_v examine_v themselves_o upon_o and_o deep_o lay_v to_o heart_n though_o we_o still_o keep_v up_o the_o form_n of_o godliness_n yet_o have_v we_o not_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n lose_v the_o power_n thereof_o though_o the_o principle_n which_o our_o church_n ow_v and_o profess_v be_v excellent_o good_a yet_o do_v not_o many_o of_o we_o horrible_o contradict_v they_o in_o our_o practice_n be_v there_o not_o a_o visible_a decay_n of_o christian_a piety_n to_o be_v observe_v among_o we_o and_o a_o deluge_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o all_o sort_n overspread_v the_o face_n of_o the_o land_n i_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o the_o fault_n of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o particular_a person_n for_o we_o know_v there_o be_v never_o any_o age_n nor_o any_o religion_n that_o be_v free_a from_o such_o but_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o national_a sin_n the_o reign_a vice_n of_o the_o time_n the_o miscarriage_n that_o be_v so_o prevail_v and_o so_o common_a that_o a_o public_a guilt_n be_v contract_v by_o they_o and_o the_o whole_a people_n may_v just_o share_v in_o the_o punishment_n of_o they_o i_o must_v confess_v to_o speak_v strict_o the_o degree_n and_o proportion_n in_o which_o any_o age_n grow_v better_a or_o worse_o than_o those_o that_o go_v before_o it_o be_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v measure_v unless_o we_o can_v live_v the_o space_n of_o several_a age_n and_o out_o of_o our_o own_o experience_n make_v observation_n and_o remark_n upon_o they_o all_o that_o we_o have_v to_o make_v our_o estimate_n by_o be_v the_o history_n and_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o of_o the_o state_n of_o former_a age_n with_o which_o we_o may_v compare_v our_o own_o but_o yet_o this_o way_n be_v often_o very_o fallacious_a because_o it_o be_v the_o common_a humour_n and_o custom_n of_o man_n even_o of_o those_o that_o transmit_v the_o memoires_n of_o their_o own_o time_n to_o posterity_n still_o to_o complain_v of_o their_o own_o time_n most_o and_o to_o prefer_v the_o former_a age_n before_o that_o in_o which_o they_o live_v upon_o this_o consideration_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v forward_o to_o draw_v a_o comparison_n between_o the_o former_a time_n and_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o show_v how_o much_o great_a our_o sin_n be_v than_o of_o those_o that_o go_v before_o we_o and_o consequent_o how_o much_o ripe_a we_o be_v now_o for_o judgement_n most_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o god_n as_o he_o have_v do_v to_o the_o sea_n so_o have_v he_o to_o every_o nation_n set_v its_o bound_n of_o wickedness_n beyond_o which_o they_o shall_v not_o pass_v and_o when_o their_o iniquity_n be_v at_o full_a he_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o repay_v vengeance_n into_o their_o bosom_n the_o canaanite_n the_o jew_n and_o many_o other_o nation_n i_o may_v name_n have_v be_v say_v instance_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o proceed_v but_o when_o a_o nation_n be_v come_v to_o that_o fatal_a period_n none_o know_v but_o god_n and_o whether_o we_o be_v not_o already_o very_a near_o it_o we_o can_v tell_v but_o we_o ought_v infinite_o to_o fear_v too_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v in_o a_o very_a bad_a posture_n among_o we_o and_o our_o sin_n be_v grow_v to_o that_o height_n that_o it_o be_v a_o miracle_n of_o the_o divine_a patience_n and_o long-suffering_a that_o we_o be_v not_o already_o consume_v let_v we_o be_v more_o particular_a if_o the_o prevail_a of_o atheism_n in_o a_o land_n and_o the_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n if_o open_a lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o immorality_n of_o all_o kind_n if_o the_o turn_a religion_n into_o a_o mere_a piece_n of_o formality_n and_o outward_a profession_n if_o schism_n and_o division_n and_o faction_n in_o a_o church_n and_o last_o if_o our_o general_a unthankfulness_n for_o and_o unprofitableness_n under_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o many_o mercy_n and_o privilege_n that_o have_v be_v vouchsafe_v we_o if_o any_o or_o all_o of_o these_o sin_n can_v provoke_v god_n to_o forsake_v a_o nation_n and_o give_v it_o up_o to_o ruin_v and_o yet_o these_o sin_n be_v both_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n especial_o mark_v out_o for_o such_o then_o be_v we_o of_o this_o nation_n at_o this_o time_n in_o a_o very_a deplorable_a condition_n and_o be_v to_o expect_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n unless_o it_o be_v prevent_v by_o a_o speedy_a reformation_n for_o first_o of_o all_o be_v there_o ever_o more_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n in_o a_o christian_a nation_n at_o least_o in_o a_o protestant_n christian_n nation_n or_o more_o countenance_n give_v to_o such_o doctrine_n and_o opinion_n as_o direct_o tend_v thereto_o than_o now_o among_o we_o there_o be_v not_o many_o perhaps_o that_o dare_v in_o express_a term_n affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n because_o they_o know_v it_o be_v not_o safe_a so_o to_o do_v but_o many_o affirm_v it_o by_o consequence_n by_o assert_v such_o principle_n from_o whence_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v conclude_v for_o what_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o such_o doctrine_n as_o these_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o body_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o spiritual_a incorporeal_a be_v imply_v a_o contradiction_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o just_a or_o unjust_a virtuous_a or_o vicious_a in_o itself_o but_o as_o it_o be_v make_v so_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n and_o that_o no_o man_n be_v so_o free_a and_o agent_n as_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o his_o action_n what_o be_v the_o result_n of_o these_o doctrine_n but_o the_o necessary_a introduce_v of_o atheism_n and_o the_o banish_v religion_n from_o among_o man_n it_o be_v upon_o these_o principle_n not_o only_o a_o needless_a impetinent_n but_o a_o absurd_a contradictious_a thing_n and_o yet_o be_v not_o these_o the_o avow_a principle_n of_o too_o many_o among_o we_o and_o those_o too_o that_o be_v the_o great_a pretender_n to_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n but_o what_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o such_o philosophy_n why_o suitable_a enough_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o you_o may_v meet_v with_o those_o that_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o scoff_n at_o god_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o other_o world_n and_o to_o turn_v into_o ridicule_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v sacred_a and_o he_o be_v account_v the_o great_a spirit_n that_o think_v free_o and_o dare_v speak_v bold_o what_o he_o think_v and_o if_o a_o man_n will_v set_v up_o for_o a_o wit_n he_o can_v take_v a_o more_o effectual_a course_n to_o gain_v he_o that_o reputation_n in_o many_o company_n than_o to_o be_v confident_a and_o peremptory_a in_o contradict_v the_o common_a sentiment_n of_o man_n as_o to_o religion_n to_o be_v able_a to_o burlesque_fw-la the_o scripture_n humorous_o to_o be_v dexterous_a in_o employ_v religious_a phrase_n to_o scurrilous_a purpose_n and_o to_o baffle_v and_o droll_fw-fr out_n of_o countenance_n those_o that_o stand_v up_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o sacred_a thing_n as_o the_o world_n go_v it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o virtue_n to_o believe_v a_o god_n and_o providence_n and_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n with_o the_o other_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n they_o do_v very_o well_o that_o go_v thus_o far_o but_o as_o for_o institute_v reveal_v religion_n for_o instance_n christianity_n how_o many_o be_v there_o that_o think_v themselves_o no_o way_n concern_v in_o it_o but_o hold_v it_o in_o the_o same_o rank_n with_o judaisme_n and_o mahometanism_n and_o if_o they_o profess_v that_o rather_o than_o either_o of_o these_o it_o be_v only_o because_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o breed_v up_o in_o it_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n

a_o sermon_n preach_v on_o the_o day_n of_o the_o public_a fast_a april_n the_o 11_o the_o 1679._o at_o st._n margaret_n westminster_n before_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o by_o john_n sharp_a rector_n of_o st._n giles_n in_o the_o field_n and_o chaplain_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a heneage_n lord_n finch_n lord_n high_a chancellor_n of_o england_n publish_a by_o order_n of_o the_o house_n london_n print_v by_o m._n c._n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1679._o a_o sermon_n on_o revel_v two_o 5._o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n except_o thou_o repent_v we_o be_v this_o day_n meet_v together_o to_o humble_v ourselves_o for_o our_o sin_n before_o god_n and_o to_o implore_v his_o mercy_n to_o this_o nation_n in_o the_o preserve_v our_o king_n our_o law_n our_o religion_n and_o our_o life_n and_o in_o bless_v the_o present_a public_a counsel_n in_o order_n thereunto_o and_o never_o be_v a_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n more_o seasonable_a or_o more_o necessary_a than_o at_o this_o time_n and_o to_o we_o of_o this_o kingdom_n for_o as_o our_o sin_n be_v never_o great_a never_o cry_v loud_o to_o heaven_n for_o vengeance_n so_o the_o judgement_n they_o deserve_v do_v never_o more_o visible_o threaten_v we_o than_o they_o do_v at_o this_o day_n insomuch_o that_o if_o our_o circumstance_n be_v due_o consider_v we_o may_v have_v just_a reason_n to_o apprehend_v that_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o way_n of_o his_o providence_n do_v now_o speak_v to_o the_o people_n and_o church_n of_o england_n the_o same_o word_n that_o he_o order_v st._n john_n by_o the_o way_n of_o letter_n to_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n remember_v from_o whence_o thou_o be_v fall_v and_o repent_v and_o do_v the_o first_o work_n or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n except_o thou_o repent_v this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n as_o also_o the_o other_o six_o church_n of_o asia_n to_o each_o of_o which_o st._n john_n by_o the_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v here_o address_v a_o several_a epistle_n be_v at_o the_o time_n when_o these_o letter_n be_v dictate_v very_a flourish_a church_n favour_v as_o much_o with_o the_o especial_a presence_n and_o influence_n of_o christ_n as_o ever_o any_o church_n be_v this_o appear_v from_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o epistle_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n wherein_o christ_n the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v describe_v as_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n as_o he_o himself_o interpret_v they_o 20._o that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o antiquity_n the_o bishop_n the_o precedent_n the_o governor_n of_o those_o church_n his_o hold_v they_o in_o his_o hand_n be_v his_o support_v and_o direct_v they_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o people_n the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o which_o he_o walk_v ibid._n be_v as_o he_o himself_o likewise_o expound_v they_o the_o seven_o church_n themselves_o as_o be_v the_o place_n where_o those_o star_n those_o light_n do_v shine_v and_o his_o walk_n among_o those_o candlestick_n be_v his_o presence_n in_o those_o church_n encourage_v or_o reprove_v reward_v or_o punish_v the_o member_n of_o they_o as_o there_o be_v cause_n have_v the_o power_n in_o his_o hand_n either_o to_o continue_v those_o light_n among_o they_o or_o to_o remove_v they_o to_o another_o place_n i_o insist_v on_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o passage_n because_o it_o let_v we_o in_o to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o phrase_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o text_n of_o remove_v the_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o place_n which_o from_o hence_o we_o plain_o see_v to_o be_v the_o un-churching_a any_o people_n the_o withdraw_a the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n from_o they_o well_o but_o this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o which_o the_o epistle_n i_o be_o now_o concern_v in_o be_v write_v how_o much_o soever_o christ_n have_v do_v for_o they_o have_v it_o seem_v make_v but_o a_o bad_a requital_n of_o his_o kindness_n 3._o at_o first_o indeed_o they_o have_v walk_v very_o worthy_o and_o be_v much_o commend_v by_o our_o saviour_n for_o their_o zeal_n and_o piety_n and_o labour_n in_o religion_n but_o now_o they_o be_v fall_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o negligence_n and_o remissness_n it_o be_v true_a they_o at_o this_o time_n continue_v orthodox_n in_o their_o doctrine_n and_o opinion_n they_o do_v both_o know_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v zealous_a against_o false_a doctrine_n which_o also_o our_o saviour_n take_v notice_n of_o and_o commend_v they_o for_o this_o 6._o say_v he_o thou_o have_v that_o thou_o hate_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o i_o also_o hate_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o so_o offend_v be_v he_o with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o first_o love_n the_o decay_n of_o devotion_n and_o charity_n among_o they_o that_o he_o threaten_v they_o solemn_o in_o the_o text_n that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o repent_v and_o do_v the_o first_o work_n he_o will_v remove_v their_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o place_n that_o be_v as_o i_o say_v he_o will_v withdraw_v from_o they_o his_o presence_n and_o the_o light_n of_o his_o gospel_n this_o be_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o my_o text_n as_o to_o the_o first_o design_n and_o literal_a meaning_n of_o it_o that_o be_v as_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n i_o now_o desire_v leave_v to_o make_v such_o application_n of_o it_o to_o ourselves_o as_o may_v be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o end_v design_v in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o this_o day_n and_o we_o have_v warrant_n enough_o to_o make_v such_o a_o application_n for_o let_v we_o not_o flatter_v ourselves_o what_o be_v here_o reprove_v and_o what_o be_v here_o threaten_v have_v not_o such_o a_o peculiar_a respect_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o that_o it_o do_v equal_o concern_v all_o church_n so_o far_o as_o they_o fall_v under_o the_o same_o character_n which_o whether_o we_o at_o this_o day_n day_n do_v or_o no_o it_o be_v fit_a we_o shall_v serious_o examine_v ourselves_o about_o here_o be_v three_o thing_n considerable_a in_o the_o text._n first_o a_o great_a sin_n and_o gild_n suppose_v second_o a_o great_a judgement_n denounce_v for_o that_o gild_n no_o less_o than_o the_o un-churching_a of_o that_o people_n that_o have_v contract_v it_o three_o the_o mean_v prescribe_v for_o the_o avert_v that_o judgement_n viz._n repentance_n my_o application_n of_o the_o text_n shall_v proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o head_n that_o be_v i_o shall_v first_o desire_v leave_n to_o inquire_v whether_o we_o of_o this_o nation_n at_o this_o day_n for_o our_o manifold_a sin_n and_o guilt_n may_v not_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v in_o as_o bad_a or_o worse_a circumstance_n than_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o text_n and_o consequent_o have_v not_o just_a reason_n to_o fear_v the_o same_o judgement_n that_o they_o be_v here_o threaten_v with_o second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o judgement_n here_o threaten_v how_o grievous_a a_o one_o it_o be_v and_o consequent_o how_o great_a a_o argument_n the_o consideration_n of_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o we_o all_o to_o repent_v three_o i_o shall_v speak_v something_o of_o this_o repentance_n how_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v express_v if_o we_o will_v thereby_o prevent_v the_o judgement_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o point_n which_o concern_v our_o sin_n and_o our_o guilt_n to_o make_v some_o representation_n of_o the_o spiritual_a malady_n and_o disease_n that_o this_o nation_n groan_v under_o those_o public_a grievance_n by_o which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v provoke_v to_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o we_o and_o to_o give_v we_o up_o to_o the_o power_n and_o dominion_n of_o other_o master_n this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v a_o very_a melancholy_n and_o unpleasing_a argument_n but_o yet_o very_o necessary_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o and_o that_o very_o free_o too_o especial_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o this_o and_o most_o of_o all_o when_o i_o speak_v to_o those_o who_o concernment_n and_o who_o care_n it_o be_v to_o inspect_v these_o matter_n and_o from_o who_o we_o hope_v for_o a_o cure_n of_o our_o distemper_n it_o be_v here_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o her_o commendation_n that_o she_o retain_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o heresy_n of_o those_o time_n and_o this_o god_n be_v thank_v may_v be_v