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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n faith_n point_n 4,685 5 7.0514 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26951 The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter. Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691. 1670 (1670) Wing B1301; ESTC R5103 494,148 660

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the_o solemn_a initiation_n of_o person_n into_o this_o religion_n by_o a_o vow_a consent_n to_o it_o as_o summary_o there_o express_v in_o the_o christian_a covenant_n and_o this_o be_v use_v to_o be_v open_o do_v 3._o the_o use_n of_o the_o creed_n which_o at_o baptism_n and_o other_o sacred_a season_n be_v always_o wont_a to_o be_v profess_v together_o with_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o the_o decalogue_n the_o summary_n of_o our_o faith_n desire_n and_o practice_n be_v another_o notable_a tradition_n by_o which_o this_o religion_n have_v be_v send_v down_o to_o follow_v age_n for_o though_o perhaps_o all_o the_o term_n of_o the_o creed_n be_v not_o so_o early_o as_o some_o think_v thus_o constant_o use_v yet_o all_o the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v 4._o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o record_n of_o this_o religion_n contain_v integral_o all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o all_o the_o necessary_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v the_o most_o complete_a way_n of_o tradition_n and_o it_o 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the_o apostle_n be_v officer_n immediate_o commission_v by_o christ_n to_o disciple_v the_o nation_n and_o to_o teach_v they_o all_o that_o christ_n command_v and_o so_o to_o settle_v order_n in_o the_o church_n mat._n 28.19_o 20_o 21._o act_n 15._o etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o christ_n promise_v and_o give_v they_o his_o spirit_n infallible_o to_o guide_v they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o commission_n though_o not_o to_o make_v they_o perfect_o impeccable_a john_n 16.13_o 3._o that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o apostle_n appoint_v the_o use_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n for_o the_o church_n assembly_n this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v leave_v to_o be_v prove_v and_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n which_o require_v no_o other_o kind_n of_o proof_n but_o history_n part_n of_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o history_n of_o all_o follow_a age_n in_o
not_o by_o faith_n choose_v and_o use_v by_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o mediator_n or_o mean_n to_o our_o first_o act_n of_o love_n and_o consent_n but_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o that_o of_o the_o father_n choose_v only_o but_o be_v in_o that_o first_o consent_n choose_v by_o we_o for_o the_o stand_a mean_n of_o our_o justification_n and_o glory_n and_o of_o all_o our_o follow_a exercise_n and_o increase_v of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o our_o sanctification_n so_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o assent_v act_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o the_o elect_a act_n which_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o o●_n very_o first_o act_n of_o love_n to_o god_n and_o of_o our_o first_o degree_n of_o sanctification_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v call_v the_o seed_n and_o mother_n grace_n but_o it_o be_v not_o that_o save_a faith_n which_o be_v our_o christianity_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o justification_n and_o of_o glory_n till_o it_o come_v up_o to_o a_o covenant-consent_n of_o heart_n and_o take_v in_o the_o foresay_a act_n of_o repentance_n and_o love_n to_o god_n as_o our_o god_n and_o ultimate_a end_n the_o observation_n of_o many_o write_a mistake_n about_o the_o order_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o ill_a and_o contentious_a consequent_n that_o have_v follow_v they_o have_v make_v i_o think_v that_o this_o true_a and_o accurate_a decision_n of_o this_o case_n be_v not_o unuseful_a or_o unnecessary_a direct_v 12._o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o far_o concur_v with_o the_o eternal_a word_n in_o our_o redemption_n that_o he_o be_v the_o perfect_a operator_n in_o the_o conception_n the_o holiness_n the_o miracle_n the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o his_o conception_n it_o be_v say_v mat._n 1.20_o for_o that_o which_o be_v conceive_v in_o she_o be_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o vers_fw-la 18._o she_o be_v find_v with_o child_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o his_o holy_a perfection_n as_o it_o be_v say_v luke_n 2.52_o that_o he_o increase_v in_o wisdom_n and_o stature_n and_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o man_n mean_v those_o positive_a perfection_n of_o his_o humane_a nature_n which_o be_v to_o grow_v up_o with_o nature_n itself_o and_o not_o the_o supply_n of_o any_o culpable_a or_o privative_a defect_n so_o when_o he_o be_v baptize_v the_o holy_a ghost_n descend_v in_o a_o bodily_a shape_n like_o a_o dove_n upon_o he_o luke_n 3.22_o and_o luke_n 4.1_o it_o be_v say_v jesus_n be_v full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n isa_n 11.2_o and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o might_n the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o shall_v make_v he_o quick_a of_o understanding_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n joh._n 3.34_o for_o god_n give_v not_o the_o spirit_n by_o measure_n to_o he_o act_v 1.2_o after_o that_o he_o through_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v give_v commandment_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o he_o have_v choose_v rom._n 1.4_o and_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n according_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n that_o be_v the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a mat._n 12.28_o if_o i_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n luke_n 4.18_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o he_o have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o poor_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o heal_v etc._n etc._n isa_n 61.1_o in_o all_o this_o you_o see_v how_o great_a the_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v upon_o christ_n himself_o to_o fit_v his_o humane_a nature_n for_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o actuate_v he_o in_o it_o though_o it_o be_v the_o word_n only_o which_o be_v make_v flesh_n and_o dwell_v among_o we_o john_n 1.3_o direct_v 13._o christ_n be_v thus_o fill_v with_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v the_o head_n or_o quicken_a spirit_n to_o his_o body_n and_o according_o to_o fit_v each_o member_n for_o its_o peculiar_a office_n and_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n now_o give_v be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n as_o communicate_v by_o he_o rom._n 8.9_o if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n the_o same_o be_v none_o of_o hi●_n joh._n 7.37_o this_o speak_v he_o of_o the_o spirit_n which_o they_o that_o believe_v shall_v receive_v viz._n it_o be_v the_o water_n of_o life_n which_o christ_n will_v give_v they_o 1_o cor._n 15.45_o the_o last_o adam_n be_v make_v a_o quicken_a spirit_n gal._n 4.6_o god_n have_v send_v forth_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n into_o our_o heart_n whereby_o we_o cry_v abba_n father_n phil._n 1.19_o through_o the_o supply_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n see_v also_o ephes_n 1.22_o 23._o &_o 3.17_o 18_o 19_o &_o 2.18_o 22._o &_o 4.3_o 12_o 16._o 1_o cor._n 12_o etc._n etc._n direct_v 14._o the_o great_a extraordinary_a measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v by_o he_o to_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o his_o own_o truth_n and_o power_n and_o to_o fit_v they_o to_o found_v the_o first_o church_n and_o to_o convince_v unbeliever_n and_o to_o deliver_v his_o will_n on_o record_n in_o the_o scripture_n infallible_o to_o the_o church_n for_o future_a time_n it_o will_v be_v tedious_a to_o cite_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o they_o be_v so_o numerous_a take_v but_o a_o few_o matth._n 28.20_o teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o that_o be_v the_o commission_n mark_v 16.17_o and_o these_o sign_n shall_v follow_v they_o that_o believe_v etc._n etc._n joh._n 20.22_o receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n 14.26_o but_o the_o comforter_n the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o the_o father_n will_v send_v in_o my_o name_n he_o will_v teach_v you_o all_o thing_n and_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o your_o remembrance_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v say_v unto_o you_o joh._n 16.13_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n etc._n etc._n heb._n 2.4_o god_n also_o bear_v they_o witness_n both_o with_o sign_n and_o w●nders_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n direct_v 15._o and_o as_o such_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v to_o the_o apostle_n as_o their_o office_n require_v so_o th●se_a sanctify_a grace_n or_o that_o spiritual_a life_n light_n and_o love_n be_v give_v by_o it_o to_o all_o true_a christian_n which_o their_o calling_n and_o salvation_n do_v require_v john_n 3.5_o 6._o except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o fl●sh_n be_v flesh_n and_o that_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o spirit_n be_v spirit_n heb._n 12.14_o without_o holiness_n none_o shall_v see_v god_n rom._n 8.8_o 9_o 10_o 14._o they_o that_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n can_v please_v god_n but_o you_o be_v not_o in_o the_o flesh_n but_o in_o the_o spirit_n if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o you_o now_o if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v none_o of_o he_o see_v also_o v_o 1_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o etc._n etc._n titus_n 3.5_o 6_o 7._o he_o save_v we_o by_o the_o wash_n of_o regeneration_n and_o the_o renew_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o he_o shed_v on_o we_o abundant_o through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o saviour_n that_o be_v justify_v by_o his_o grace_n we_o shall_v be_v make_v heir_n according_a to_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n but_o the_o testimony_n of_o th●s_a truth_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o i_o may_v recite_v direct_v 16._o by_o all_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v both_o christ_n great_a witness_n objective_o in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v own_v of_o god_n and_o prove_v to_o be_v true_a and_o also_o his_o advocate_n or_o great_a agent_n in_o the_o church_n both_o to_o indite_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o sanctify_v soul_n so_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o christian_a indeed_o without_o these_o three_o 1._o the_o objective_a witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n 2._o the_o gospel_n teach_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o apostle_n 3._o and_o the_o quicken_a illuminate_v and_o sanctify_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o their_o soul_n direct_v 17._o it_o be_v therefore_o in_o these_o respect_n that_o we_o be_v baptise_v into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n
and_o to_o the_o other_o to_o settle_v the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n church_n christ_n send_v they_o to_o teach_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o he_o command_v mat._n 28.20_o and_o he_o promise_v to_o be_v with_o they_o and_o to_o send_v they_o the_o spirit_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o remembrance_n according_o they_o do_v obey_v this_o commission_n and_o settle_v the_o gospel_n church_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n and_o this_o many_o year_n before_o any_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v therefore_o these_o act_n of_o they_o have_v the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o a_o law_n for_o if_o they_o be_v fallible_a in_o this_o christ_n must_v break_v the_o foresay_a promise_n 2._o but_o all_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v either_o about_o indifferent_a thing_n or_o which_o be_v about_o forecommand_v duty_n and_o not_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o foresay_a commission_n for_o which_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o infallibility_n have_v no_o such_o force_n or_o interpretation_n for_o 1._o their_o holy_a action_n of_o obedience_n to_o former_a law_n be_v not_o proper_o law_n to_o we_o but_o motive_n to_o obey_v god_n law_n and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a use_n of_o all_o other_o good_a example_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o scripture_n their_o example_n be_v to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o law_n and_o follow_v as_o secondary_a copy_n or_o motive_n and_o not_o as_o the_o law_n itself_o 1_o cor._n 11.1_o be_v you_o follower_n of_o i_o even_o as_o i_o also_o be_o of_o christ_n heb._n 6.12_o be_v follower_n of_o they_o who_o through_o faith_n and_o patience_n do_v inherit_v the_o promise_n 1_o cor._n 4.16_o phil._n 3.17_o 1_o thes_n 1.6_o &_o 2.16_o &_o 3.7_o 9_o heb._n 13.7_o 2._o and_o the_o evil_a example_n even_o of_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v as_o all_o other_o evil_a example_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v such_o as_o peter_n denial_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o the_o disciple_n all_o forsake_v he_o and_o peter_n sinful_a separation_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o barnabas_n with_o he_o gal._n ●_o and_o the_o fall_v out_o of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n etc._n etc._n 3._o and_o the_o history_n of_o indifferent_a action_n or_o those_o which_o be_v the_o performance_n but_o of_o a_o temporary_a duty_n be_v instruct_v to_o we_o but_o not_o example_n which_o we_o must_v imitate_v it_o be_v no_o divine_a faith_n which_o forge_v a_o object_n or_o rule_v to_o itself_o whatsoever_o example_n we_o will_v prove_v to_o be_v obligatory_a to_o we_o to_o imitate_v we_o must_v either_o prove_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v a_o execution_n of_o god_n own_o commission_n which_o have_v a_o promise_n of_o infallible_a guidance_n or_o 2_o that_o it_o be_v do_v according_a to_o some_o former_a law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o and_o we_o as_o the_o first_o must_v be_v the_o reveal_n of_o some_o duty_n extend_v to_o this_o age_n as_o well_o as_o that_o direct_v 12._o faith_n must_v make_v great_a use_n of_o scripture_n example_n both_o for_o motive_n and_o comfort_n when_o we_o find_v their_o case_n to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o we_o we_o can_v conclude_v that_o we_o must_v imitate_v they_o in_o extraordinary_a circumstance_n nor_o can_v we_o conclude_v that_o god_n will_v give_v every_o extraordinary_a mercy_n to_o we_o which_o he_o give_v to_o they_o as_o that_o he_o will_v make_v all_o king_n as_o he_o do_v david_n or_o all_o apostle_n or_o raise_v all_o as_o he_o do_v l●zarus_n now_o etc._n etc._n nor_o that_o every_o believer_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o outward_a thing_n or_o shall_v have_v just_a the_o same_o degree_n of_o grace_n etc._n etc._n but_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v all_o god_n promise_v fulfil_v to_o we_o as_o they_o have_v to_o they_o and_o shall_v have_v all_o that_o be_v suitable_a to_o our_o condition_n as_o david_n be_v pardon_v upon_o repentance_n so_o may_v other_o i_o confess_v and_o thou_o forgave_v for_o this_o shall_v every_o one_o that_o be_v godly_a prey_n to_o thou_o psal_n 32.5_o 6._o have_v god_n pardon_v a_o manasseh_n a_o peter_n a_o paul_n etc._n etc._n upon_o repentance_n so_o be_v he_o ready_a to_o do_v to_o we_o have_v he_o help_v the_o distress_a have_v he_o hear_v and_o pity_v even_o the_o weak_a in_o faith_n so_o we_o may_v hope_v he_o will_v do_v by_o we_o isa_n 38.10_o 11._o psal_n 116.3_o act_n 27.20_o jonah_n 2.4_o we_o have_v the_o same_o god_n the_o same_o christ_n the_o same_o promise_n if_o we_o have_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o pray_v with_o the_o same_o spirit_n rom._n 8.26_o heb._n 4_o 15._o though_o we_o may_v not_o have_v just_o the_o same_o case_n or_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o deliverance_n therefore_o it_o be_v a_o mercy_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v historical_o and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v remember_v such_o particular_a example_n as_o suit_v our_o own_o case_n chap._n v._o direction_n how_o to_o live_v by_o faith_n upon_o god_n promise_n this_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o more_o noble_a because_o the_o eminent_a part_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o promise_n or_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o it_o be_v the_o more_o necessary_a because_o our_o lapse_v miserable_a state_n have_v make_v the_o promise_n so_o necessary_a to_o our_o use_n the_o help_n to_o be_v use_v herein_o be_v these_o direct_v 1._o consider_v that_o every_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v the_o expression_n of_o his_o immutable_a will_n and_o counsel_n it_o be_v a_o great_a dispute_n among_o the_o schoolman_n whether_o god_n be_v proper_o oblige_v to_o we_o by_o his_o promise_n when_o the_o word_n obligation_n itself_o be_v but_o a_o metaphor_n which_o must_v be_v cast_v away_o or_o explain_v before_o the_o question_n can_v be_v answer_v god_n can_v be_v bind_v as_o man_n be_v who_o transfer_v a_o propriety_n to_o another_o from_o himself_o or_o make_v himself_o a_o proper_a debtor_n in_o point_n of_o communicative_a justice_n or_o may_v be_v sue_v at_o law_n and_o make_v to_o perform_v against_o his_o will_n but_o it_o be_v a_o high_a obligation_n than_o all_o this_o which_o lie_v upon_o god_n his_o power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o be_v himself_o do_v constitute_v his_o veracity_n and_o his_o very_a nature_n be_v immutable_a and_o just_a and_o therefore_o his_o nature_n and_o be_v be_v the_o infallible_a cause_n of_o the_o fulfil_n of_o his_o promise_n he_o free_o make_v they_o but_o he_o necessary_o perform_v they_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o god_n that_o can_v lie_v have_v promise_v eternal_a life_n before_o the_o world_n begin_v which_o be_v either_o promise_a according_a to_o his_o counsel_n which_o he_o have_v before_o the_o world_n begin_v or_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n titus_n 1.2_o or_o as_o the_o word_n also_o signify_v many_o age_n ago_o and_o heb._n 6.17_o 18._o wherefore_o god_n will_v more_o abundant_o to_o show_v to_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n the_o immutability_n of_o his_o counsel_n confirm_v it_o by_o a_o oath_n that_o by_o two_o immutable_a thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o lie_v we_o may_v have_v a_o strong_a consolation_n who_o have_v fl●d_v for_o refuge_n to_o lay_v hold_n upon_o the_o hope_n set_v before_o we_o which_o hope_v we_o have_v as_o a_o anchor_n of_o the_o soul_n both_o sure_a and_o steadfast_a and_o therefore_o when_o the_o apostle_n mean_v that_o christ_n will_v not_o be_v unfaithful_a to_o we_o his_o phrase_n be_v he_o can_v deny_v himself_o 2_o tim._n 2.13_o as_o if_o his_o very_a nature_n and_o be_v consist_v more_o in_o his_o truth_n and_o fidelity_n than_o any_o mortal_a man_n can_v do_v direct_v 2._o understand_v the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o fidelity_n among_o man_n viz._n 1._o to_o make_v they_o conformable_a to_o god_n and_o 2._o to_o maintain_v all_o justice_n order_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o world_n and_o when_o you_o have_v ponder_v these_o two_o you_o will_v see_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o be_v unfaithful_a for_o 1._o if_o it_o be_v a_o vice_n in_o the_o copy_n what_o will_v it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a nay_o will_v not_o falsehood_n and_o perfidiousness_n become_v our_o perfection_n to_o make_v we_o like_o god_n 2._o and_o if_o all_o the_o world_n will_v be_v like_o a_o company_n of_o enemy_n bedlam_n bruit_n or_o worse_o if_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o remnant_n of_o fidelity_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o nature_n or_o will_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v the_o pattern_n or_o original_a of_o so_o great_a evil_n direct_v 3._o consider_v what_o a_o foundation_n of_o his_o promise_n god_n have_v lay_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o what_o a_o seal_n
a_o word_n or_o two_o or_o none_o at_o all_o in_o the_o daily_a prayer_n of_o most_o professor_n and_o it_o be_v rare_a to_o hear_v any_o to_o pray_v with_o any_o importunity_n for_o their_o conversion_n be_v this_o man_n love_n to_o mankind_n be_v this_o their_o love_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n or_o to_o god_n and_o godliness_n be_v god_n of_o as_o narrow_a a_o mind_n as_o you_o be_v you_o and_o your_o party_n all_o the_o world_n or_o all_o the_o church_n or_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v regard_v and_o pray_v for_o direct_v 2._o do_v not_o only_o pray_v for_o they_o but_o study_v what_o be_v within_o the_o reach_n of_o your_o power_n to_o do_v for_o their_o conversion_n for_o though_o private_a man_n can_v do_v little_a in_o comparison_n of_o what_o christian_a prince_n may_v do_v who_o must_v not_o be_v tell_v their_o duty_n by_o such_o as_o i._o yet_o somewhat_o may_v be_v do_v by_o merchant_n and_o their_o chaplain_n if_o skill_n and_o zeal_n be_v well_o unite_v and_o 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the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o most_o probable_a mean_n to_o win_v to_o christ_n the_o world_n of_o heathen_n and_o unbeliever_n if_o the_o protestant_a church_n be_v more_o pure_a and_o peaceable_a more_o holy_a and_o more_o unanimous_a and_o charitable_a to_o each_o other_o it_o will_v do_v much_o to_o win_v the_o papist_n that_o be_v near_o they_o and_o if_o the_o papist_n and_o greek_n and_o armenian_n and_o abassine_n be_v more_o reform_v wise_a and_o holy_a it_o will_v do_v much_o to_o win_v the_o heathen_n and_o mahometanes_n round_a about_o they_o they_o will_v be_v the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o leaven_n which_o must_v leaven_n the_o whole_a lump_n the_o neighbour_a mahometanes_n and_o heathen_n will_v see_v their_o good_a work_n and_o glorify_v god_n matth._n 5.16_o a_o holy_a harmless_a love_a conversation_n be_v a_o sermon_n which_o man_n of_o all_o language_n can_v understand_v thus_o as_o apostle_n we_o may_v 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get_v other_o man_n to_o do_v their_o duty_n towards_o it_o be_v sure_a that_o you_o do_v your_o part_n within_o your_o reach_n and_o believe_v that_o your_o life_n must_v be_v the_o best_a part_n of_o your_o labour_n and_o that_o good_a work_n and_o love_n and_o good_a example_n must_v be_v the_o first_o part_n of_o your_o doctrine_n direct_v 5._o when_o you_o see_v that_o the_o world_n lie_v still_o in_o wickedness_n and_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o a_o cure_n yet_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o so_o far_o as_o you_o can_v find_v any_o prophecy_n or_o promise_n of_o their_o conversion_n believe_v that_o god_n in_o his_o time_n will_v make_v it_o good_a direct_v 6._o but_o take_v heed_n that_o on_o this_o pretence_n you_o plunge_v not_o yourselves_o into_o any_o inordinate_a study_n or_o conceit_a exposition_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o other_o scripture_n prophecy_n as_o many_o have_v do_v to_o the_o great_a wrong_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n 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