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	foundation_n	pillar_n	3,741	5	10.6899	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A10615	The golden chayne of salvation. Written by that reverend and learned man, maister Herman Renecher. And now translated out of Latine into English; Aurea salutis catena. English	Rennecher, Hermann.; Allibond, Peter, 1559 or 60-1628.	1604 (1604)	STC 20889; ESTC S101212	181,755	288

learning and vnderstanding sake but least any man should be deceived by the ambiguity of the word the significations thereof must be vnfolded and distinguished for vocation in the holy scripture doth signify oftentimes the very action of calling otherwhiles it signifieth that happines to which men are called namely everlasting life and heavenly glory Then in respect of the two-fold kinde of men there is likewise a two-fold kinde of vocation the one is vnto some office and not vnto salvation So Saule was called to a kingdome so Iudas was called to the Apostleship when notwithstanding neyther of them were ordeyned vnto salvation In these and such like the goodnes of God is so great that he vouchsafeth oftentimes an honest calling even to the most wicked men The other kind of vocation is vnto some office and vnto salvation also So Paule and the rest of the Apostles were called vnto the office of preaching the Gospell through the whole world and vnto salvation likewise So also many other godly men are called both vnto some certayne office and kinde of life and also vnto salvation and everlasting life That these things may the better and the more familiarly be conceived and vnderstood we must know that one vocation is outward and not effectuall vnto salvation and another is inward and effectuall vnto salvation The outward calling is that which consisteth only in the outward preaching of the Gospel this concerneth onely the superficies or outside of the vnderstanding This indeed beateth the eares with the outward sound but entreth not into the heart and hath no firme and stedfast roote in it and therefore this vocation is not durable but continueth only for a time and is like vnto the corne that fell vpon the stony ground Math. 13.6 which because it hath not sufficient moysture vnder it it can not fasten and take deepe roote but when the Sunne riseth and parcheth it it is dryed vp and withereth away From this vocation the reprobate themselves are not excluded but many of them also are called by it as well as the elect And although that some of the reprobate do come vnto some knowledge of the truth and consent therevnto and are enlightened therewith yet notwithstanding they never come vnto the true acknowledgement of the Gospell nor to the playne confession of a true faith but as Saint Paule sayth vnto Timothy 2. Epist 3.7 they are alwayes learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth Their study seeing that it is accursed fom above is a preposterous study to which knowledge never accordeth for they are alwayes vnconstant and tossed vp and downe in theyr restlesse minde like a reede so that they can apprehend no certaynety and whatsoever they doe attayne vnto doth exasperate the iudgement of God against them and turneth to their greater condemnation and maketh them the more without excuse By this it playnely appeareth that all to whom the doctrine of the Gospell is revealed are not effectually taught thereby and inwardly called The vengeance of God is wont to punish the wickednes of the reprobate two manner of wayes Amos. 8.11 for eyther he taketh from them the vse of the word or leaving them the word he taketh away their vnderstanding Esay 6.9 and darkeneth their capacitie that in seeing they should not perceive and in hearing they should not vnderstand So that the whole doctrine of the scripture is vnto them as a booke shut vp and sealed Esay 29.11 wherefore although God doe shine vnto them with the most cleere light of his word yet Sathan hath so blinded them that they altogether grope for their way in the great brightnes of light and vnderstand nothing at all and so see not the Sunne shining at mid-day Hence it may playnely be gathered that the word of God is not preached vnto men to one end but for divers ends and by Gods wonderfull iudgement is in such sort tempered and disposed on both sides that it is no lesse the savour of death vnto death vnto the reprobate then the savour of life vnto life vnto the elect So by one and the selfesame word of God the reprobate are as well distressed vnto condemnation as the elect refreshed vnto salvation This is by all meanes a fearefull and a very great iudgement of God in that many of the damned are called by the outward ministery of the word as the children of light and are adorned and endued with some knowledge of the truth which notwithstanding afterward are separated and reiected from the Church as the children of darkenes and the bondslaves of Sathan But the sound and true knowledge of the truth of the Gospell is proper to the elect onely This Christ himselfe doth expresse and declare in Mathew saying Mat. 13.11 Mark 4.11 To you it is given to know the misteries of the kingdom of heaven vnto others it is not So also in Iohn he sayth Iohn 17.6 I have declared thy name vnto the men which thou gavest me So likewise the Prophet David sayth Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is revealed vnto them that feare him and he will make knowne his covenant vnto them By these three testimonies of scripture it is proved that the elect only are enlightened into the true and saving knowledge of the scripture and therefore they are sayd to be of the truth to heare the voice of Christ Of such doth the Church of God consist which is called the piller and foundation of truth These love the pure doctrine and truth of the Gospell and keepe it safe and vnpolluted from all errors and corruptions 2. Cor. 4.3 but vnto the rest the Gospell is covered and hidden and therefore they remayne and perish in the blindnes of their heart and ignorance of God That vocation which is inward and effectuall vnto salvation is the powerfull motion and working of the holy ghost in man whereby the mind is enlightened to vnderstand the mysteries of the kingdome of God and the will renewed to like well of Gods good will and pleasure In this vocation five things ought to be considered and marked First how God revealeth his eternall election vnto vs. Secondly by what and how many meanes this calling to Christ is wrought Thirdly that it is set farre out of our power and onely in the hand of GOD. Fourthly how it may be certaynely acknowledged and knowne of vs. Fiftly that the times of this calling are sundry and divers For the first wee must knowe that the eternall election of God is revealed and made knowne vnto vs two manner of wayes to wit by the word of the Prophets and Apostles delivered vnto the Church and by the Holy Ghost by which the elect are illuminated vnto the true knowledge of God and vnto everlasting life For although that all things which God would have knowne in this life concerning him and which are necessary for vs to the attayning of salvation be absolutely and perfectly