Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	darkness_n	light_n	walk_v	4,073	5	8.1342	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96372	A treatise of the power of godlinesse: consisting of three parts. 1 wherein it consists. 2 cautions against, and discoveries of, several mistakes and hinderances, most common to the people of God. 3 several means and helps for attaining of it. / By Thomas White, preacher of Gods Word in London.	White, Thomas, Presbyterian minister in London.	1658 (1658)	Wing W1848; Thomason E1848_1; ESTC R209711	168,479	438

therefore_o observe_v what_o power_n and_o influence_n thy_o prayer_n have_v upon_o thou_o 4._o how_o be_v it_o with_o thou_o upon_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n move_v thou_o to_o duty_n on_o the_o week_n day_n thou_o will_v be_v much_o more_o in_o the_o spirit_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n chap._n iii_o the_o three_o caution_n which_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v take_v heed_n of_o degenerate_v into_o will-worship_n take_v heed_n of_o degenerate_v into_o will-worship_n to_o study_v plot_n and_o contrive_v how_o to_o serve_v god_n better_o be_v a_o singular_a duty_n and_o act_n of_o piety_n but_o then_o see_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v your_o rule_n for_o else_o to_o invent_v way_n of_o worship_n that_o god_n have_v not_o command_v or_o warrant_v in_o his_o word_n though_o they_o seem_v never_o so_o specious_a and_o have_v never_o so_o great_a a_o show_n of_o humility_n they_o puff_v thou_o up_o and_o provoke_v god_n one_o have_v this_o simile_n a_o certain_a great_a man_n have_v thirty_o servant_n ten_o of_o they_o be_v natural_a fool_n and_o have_v not_o wisdom_n to_o judge_v of_o or_o to_o alter_v their_o lord_n direction_n the_o second_o ten_o have_v some_o measure_n of_o understanding_n but_o be_v proud_a and_o arrogant_a so_o that_o they_o will_v oftentimes_o because_o they_o see_v not_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o lord_n direction_n for_o the_o depth_n of_o his_o wisdom_n be_v too_o great_a for_o they_o to_o fathom_n will_v follow_v their_o own_o invention_n which_o be_v but_o vain_a they_o spoil_v the_o work_n which_o the_o lord_n set_v they_o about_o and_o so_o provoke_v their_o lord_n not_o only_o by_o spoil_v the_o business_n he_o employ_v they_o in_o but_o much_o more_o by_o their_o judge_v his_o way_n to_o be_v foolish_a the_o three_o ten_o servant_n be_v those_o who_o have_v far_o more_o wisdom_n than_o the_o second_o but_o never_o use_v it_o to_o alter_v their_o lord_n direction_n always_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v best_a though_o they_o many_o time_n can_v see_v no_o reason_n for_o it_o nay_o much_o against_o it_o the_o high_a thought_n of_o their_o lord_n wisdom_n first_o cause_v they_o not_o to_o alter_v his_o instruction_n and_o afterward_o their_o own_o frequent_a experience_n of_o the_o betterness_n of_o his_o way_n the_o first_o ten_o be_v natural_a agent_n which_o work_n but_o they_o know_v not_o what_o rather_o by_o instinct_n than_o by_o understanding_n the_o second_o ten_o be_v wicked_a man_n who_o judge_v of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n worship_n by_o natural_a reason_n to_o which_o many_o of_o his_o way_n seem_v absurd_a they_o will_v therefore_o alter_v they_o and_o institute_v other_o of_o their_o own_o invention_n that_o carry_v a_o fair_a show_n to_o human_a reason_n and_o so_o they_o mighty_o provoke_v god_n for_o to_o break_v god_n law_n may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o infirmity_n but_o to_o judge_v his_o law_n be_v arrogancy_n the_o last_o ten_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n who_o have_v wisdom_n and_o more_o wisdom_n than_o the_o former_a but_o they_o never_o use_v their_o wisdom_n in_o judge_v of_o god_n way_n and_o find_v out_o new_a way_n and_o worship_n for_o they_o know_v that_o god_n never_o give_v they_o their_o reason_n for_o that_o end_n but_o only_o to_o help_v they_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n as_o how_o to_o build_v house_n and_o how_o to_o find_v out_o way_n for_o the_o improvement_n of_o other_o manufacture_n and_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o be_v temporal_a and_o not_o spiritual_a chap._n iu._n the_o four_o caution_n which_o be_v that_o especial_o new_a convert_v take_v heed_n of_o overburdening_a themselves_o with_o over-difficult_a or_o multitude_n of_o duty_n 4._o another_o error_n and_o mistake_n of_o new_a convert_v christian_n be_v to_o over-burden_n themselves_o with_o duty_n for_o satan_n when_o he_o see_v that_o he_o can_v keep_v they_o any_o long_o from_o the_o way_n of_o god_n than_o he_o do_v endeavour_v to_o put_v they_o upon_o religious_a duty_n as_o they_o seem_v but_o indeed_o be_v nothing_o but_o superstition_n or_o else_o upon_o such_o duty_n that_o be_v too_o hard_a and_o difficult_a as_o fast_v which_o be_v too_o strong_a cloth_n as_o be_v touch_v before_o to_o be_v sow_o into_o a_o old_a garment_n or_o else_o be_v put_v they_o upon_o multiply_a duty_n so_o that_o though_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o nature_n they_o be_v neither_o superstitious_a nor_o too_o difficult_a yet_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o number_n be_v very_o burdensome_a satan_n aim_n be_v to_o tire_v and_o discourage_v new_a beginner_n by_o put_v they_o upon_o difficult_a and_o multitude_n of_o duty_n and_o therefore_o new_a beginner_n need_v be_v very_o wise_a not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o many_o other_o case_n and_o therefore_o because_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n for_o they_o want_v experience_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n to_o direct_v themselves_o let_v they_o choose_v some_o experience_a grave_a sober_a christian_a that_o they_o may_v be_v advise_v by_o they_o take_v heed_n of_o rash_a vow_n nay_o take_v heed_n of_o all_o vow_n lest_o they_o be_v rash_a there_o be_v divers_a christian_n who_o be_v unmarried_a and_o new_o convert_v have_v bind_v themselves_o by_o vow_n to_o such_o a_o number_n of_o outward_a performance_n as_o to_o read_v so_o many_o chapter_n a_o day_n to_o fast_o often_o every_o week_n that_o afterward_o when_o they_o be_v marry_v and_o have_v many_o family_n business_n to_o look_v after_o their_o vow_n have_v be_v great_a snare_n unto_o they_o but_o concern_v the_o direction_n for_o make_v vow_n snare_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v temptation_n afterward_o i_o refer_v you_o to_o my_o little_a manual_a treatise_n of_o meditation_n chap._n v._o the_o five_o caution_n against_o several_a mistake_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o spiritual_a joy_n and_o sorrow_n 5._o concern_v spiritual_a joy_n christian_n be_v subject_a to_o several_a mistake_n 1._o they_o retain_v all_o joy_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v spiritual_a whereas_o they_o shall_v examine_v they_o for_o a_o enemy_n may_v put_v on_o the_o colour_n of_o a_o friend_n to_o deceive_v we_o i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o few_o rule_n to_o judge_v of_o your_o joy_n whether_o they_o be_v spiritual_a or_o no_o 1._o true_o spiritual_a joy_n general_o come_v from_o the_o application_n of_o some_o promise_n of_o scripture_n let_v he_o kiss_v i_o with_o the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n say_v the_o spouse_n cant._n 1.2_o joy_n that_o come_v we_o know_v not_o whence_o be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o by_o experience_n all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n can_v set_v their_o seal_n to_o this_o truth_n 2._o true_o spiritual_a joy_n general_o follow_v deep_a humiliation_n general_o one_o be_v a_o child_n walk_v in_o darkness_n before_o one_o be_v bring_v into_o this_o marvellous_a light_n the_o evening_n and_o the_o morning_n be_v the_o first_o day_n it_o be_v the_o stony_a ground_n that_o the_o first_o time_n it_o receive_v the_o word_n it_o receive_v it_o with_o joy_n but_o the_o good_a ground_n bring_v forth_o fruit_n with_o patience_n i_o know_v one_o who_o often_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o begin_v to_o confess_v his_o sin_n use_v to_o have_v joy_n but_o he_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o dangerous_a as_o come_v too_o soon_o before_o he_o be_v in_o any_o considerable_a measure_n humble_v for_o his_o sin_n 3._o true_a joy_n as_o they_o general_o follow_v humiliation_n so_o they_o do_v leave_v we_o more_o humble_a and_o more_o desirous_a to_o serve_v god_n than_o they_o find_v we_o joy_n that_o puff_v up_o with_o pride_n be_v from_o satan_n those_o that_o build_v we_o up_o in_o holiness_n be_v from_o god_n joy_n that_o make_v we_o wanton_a and_o careless_a of_o god_n service_n be_v such_o joy_n that_o satan_n will_v never_o grudge_v we_o 2._o they_o judge_v of_o their_o grace_n by_o their_o comfort_n whereas_o consolation_n be_v no_o part_n of_o but_o rather_o a_o reward_n of_o sanctification_n the_o dear_a of_o god_n people_n nay_o even_o christ_n himself_o be_v a_o man_n acquaint_v with_o sorrow_n and_o general_o their_o grace_n be_v strong_a who_o comfort_n be_v weak_a and_o your_o ancient_a christian_n though_o they_o may_v have_v a_o settle_a serenity_n and_o peace_n but_o have_v not_o such_o ecstasy_n and_o ravishment_n of_o spirit_n as_o new_a convert_v have_v god_n deal_v with_o new_a convert_v as_o we_o deal_v with_o our_o little_a child_n we_o dandle_v they_o on_o our_o knee_n we_o play_v with_o they_o and_o kiss_v they_o oftne_v which_o we_o do_v not_o do_v when_o they_o be_v grow_v to_o man_n estate_n their_o grace_n be_v weak_a something_o must_v be_v strong_a therefore_o god_n give_v they_o more_o comfort_n to_o support_v they_o beside_o the_o novelty_n of_o religion_n do_v much_o occasion_n

a_o treatise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n consist_v of_o three_o part_n 1_o wherein_o it_o consist_v 2_o caution_n against_o and_o discovery_n of_o several_a mistake_n and_o hindrance_n most_o common_a to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n 3_o several_a mean_n and_o help_v for_o attain_v of_o it_o by_o thomas_n white_a preacher_n of_o god_n word_n in_o london_n london_n print_v by_o r._n i._n for_o joseph_n cranford_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o king_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1658._o white_n be_v power_n of_o god_n liness_n to_o my_o dear_o belove_a friend_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o andrew_n holborn_n grace_n mercy_n and_o peace_n dear_o belove_v in_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o special_a and_o i_o doubt_v not_o by_o the_o good_a hand_n of_o providence_n it_o be_v and_o be_v that_o god_n have_v appoint_v i_o to_o be_v a_o colabourer_n in_o this_o part_n of_o his_o vineyard_n with_o your_o reverend_a pastor_n who_o it_o be_v that_o bear_v the_o burden_n and_o heat_n of_o the_o day_n and_o i_o bless_v god_n for_o that_o encouragement_n that_o i_o have_v receive_v from_o you_o in_o respect_n of_o your_o love_n and_o great_a appearance_n whereby_o god_n have_v put_v a_o great_a opportunity_n into_o my_o hand_n of_o do_v good_a and_o i_o hope_v my_o labour_n have_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n i_o do_v account_v you_o my_o crown_n and_o my_o joy_n and_o i_o have_v with_o much_o comfort_n and_o rejoice_v preach_v among_o you_o and_o when_o i_o have_v have_v occasion_n sometime_o for_o one_o lord_n day_n though_o but_o for_o one_o lord_n day_n to_o be_v absent_a i_o have_v return_v with_o as_o much_o satisfaction_n to_o myself_o unto_o the_o congregation_n as_o i_o have_v do_v to_o see_v my_o dear_a friend_n when_o i_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n from_o they_o of_o those_o several_a subject_n upon_o which_o i_o have_v preach_v among_o you_o i_o have_v judge_v this_o that_o i_o have_v now_o publish_v most_o to_o edification_n be_v plain_a and_o practical_a for_o you_o can_v and_o my_o own_o conscience_n do_v bear_v i_o witness_v that_o i_o have_v not_o use_v the_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o have_v endeavour_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o preach_v in_o the_o power_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o i_o account_v not_o only_a fit_a for_o those_o which_o be_v as_o they_o call_v they_o of_o the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n but_o even_o for_o those_o which_o be_v learnede_a wise_a and_o of_o great_a understanding_n for_o we_o be_v command_v to_o preach_v as_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o oracle_n use_v to_o be_v plain_a as_o to_o their_o language_n though_o it_o may_v be_v profound_a as_o to_o their_o sense_n and_o i_o account_v it_o the_o hard_a task_n of_o learning_n to_o make_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n plain_a and_o that_o wood_n to_o be_v fit_a for_o building_n which_o be_v least_o knotty_a therefore_o i_o desire_v you_o will_v not_o be_v offend_v but_o edify_v by_o the_o plain_a stile_n and_o matter_n of_o this_o treatise_n if_o by_o read_v of_o it_o you_o be_v bring_v to_o that_o which_o be_v the_o title_n and_o sum_n of_o it_o viz._n the_o power_n of_o godliness_n it_o suffice_v when_o one_o choose_v a_o sword_n not_o for_o ornament_n but_o for_o use_v one_o look_v not_o so_o much_o to_o the_o scabbard_n or_o other_o curiosity_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o mettle_n and_o therefore_o we_o rather_o choose_v one_o who_o blade_n be_v make_v of_o steel_n than_o of_o gold_n the_o two-edged_a sword_n of_o god_n word_n if_o it_o pierce_v and_o divide_v between_o the_o joint_n and_o the_o marrow_n it_o do_v the_o work_n for_o which_o we_o use_v it_o though_o it_o be_v not_o send_v forth_o and_o make_v glitter_v by_o humane_a eloquence_n though_o i_o desire_v in_o this_o particular_a also_o to_o avoid_v mistake_n for_o though_o i_o decry_v a_o garish_a yet_o i_o commend_v and_o i_o desire_v to_o use_v a_o decent_a dress_n for_o truth_n to_o walk_v abroad_o in_o i_o remember_v it_o be_v say_v of_o a_o young_a painter_n who_o be_v to_o draw_v the_o picture_n of_o a_o fair_a woman_n pulchram_fw-la non_fw-la potuit_fw-la pinxit_fw-la divitem_fw-la he_o can_v not_o paint_v her_o fair_a but_o paint_v her_o rich_a so_o that_o her_o picture_n be_v rather_o gaudy_a than_o comely_a and_o beautiful_a and_o therefore_o though_o i_o desire_v you_o will_v pardon_v the_o plainness_n of_o this_o treatise_n and_o my_o preach_n among_o you_o yet_o now_o i_o do_v recall_v that_o request_n account_v it_o unpardonable_a because_o it_o be_v not_o a_o crime_n but_o i_o can_v advise_v you_o so_o that_o you_o may_v commend_v the_o treatise_n and_o indeed_o no_o other_o commendation_n do_v i_o desire_v of_o it_o viz._n practise_v it_o and_o i_o dare_v confident_o say_v you_o will_v commend_v it_o or_o rather_o that_o you_o will_v bless_v god_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o direction_n that_o be_v set_v down_o in_o it_o live_v those_o holy_a book_n that_o you_o read_v and_o you_o will_v like_v they_o and_o doubtless_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o like_a holiness_n without_o practise_v of_o it_o for_o when_o by_o reproof_n or_o practical_a direction_n the_o conscience_n be_v awaken_v it_o will_v be_v clamorous_a if_o not_o obey_v for_o if_o it_o sleep_v not_o it_o will_v not_o be_v silent_a it_o will_v be_v tell_v of_o we_o our_o duty_n which_o if_o not_o perform_v our_o guilt_n it_o be_v index_n judex_fw-la vindex_fw-la it_o show_v we_o what_o we_o shall_v do_v which_o if_o we_o do_v not_o it_o condemn_v we_o and_o become_v not_o only_o our_o judge_n but_o our_o executioner_n for_o this_o be_v that_o worm_n that_o die_v not_o but_o if_o we_o harken_v to_o the_o whisper_n and_o teach_n of_o conscience_n guide_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o will_v prove_v the_o best_a friend_n we_o have_v next_o to_o christ_n beside_o your_o practise_v what_o you_o have_v hear_v and_o may_v read_v in_o this_o treatise_n i_o have_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o request_v of_o you_o which_o be_v your_o continual_a fervent_a prayer_n for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o i_o and_o my_o labour_n among_o you_o and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o determine_v whether_o those_o your_o prayer_n will_v bring_v great_a advantage_n to_o yourselves_o or_o i_o for_o if_o by_o your_o supplication_n god_n shall_v enlarge_v his_o gift_n and_o grace_n in_o i_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o lay_v they_o out_o to_o your_o edification_n which_o also_o i_o desire_v you_o will_v beg_v of_o the_o lord_n for_o i_o who_o be_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n tho._n white_a wherein_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n consist_v chap._n i._o in_o inward_a admiring_n and_o adore_n of_o god_n 1._o to_o admire_v and_o adore_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n for_o in_o such_o inward_a admiring_n and_o adore_n consist_v the_o very_a spirit_n life_n and_o power_n of_o holiness_n if_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o god_n do_v not_o raise_v our_o soul_n so_o high_a as_o to_o admire_v he_o and_o humble_v they_o so_o low_o as_o to_o adore_v he_o it_o be_v but_o carnal_a and_o utter_o unworthy_a of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o frame_n of_o spirit_n which_o the_o angel_n have_v matth._n 18.10_o it_o be_v not_o a_o glance_n of_o the_o eye_n but_o behold_v that_o be_v look_v upon_o with_o admiration_n and_o this_o be_v continual_a they_o never_o have_v their_o eye_n off_o they_o always_o behold_v though_o their_o employment_n be_v as_o to_o the_o object_n various_a for_o they_o be_v minister_a spirit_n sometime_o employ_v about_o the_o preserve_n or_o deliver_v the_o people_n of_o god_n from_o temporal_a danger_n now_o let_v we_o serious_o consider_v whether_o we_o have_v not_o as_o great_a cause_n to_o admire_v adore_v love_n and_o praise_n god_n as_o they_o it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o we_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o in_o possession_n but_o be_v as_o sure_a of_o as_o if_o we_o have_v we_o have_v the_o word_n the_o covenant_n the_o oath_n of_o god_n for_o it_o in_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o fail_v if_o we_o have_v not_o strong_a consolation_n it_o be_v not_o his_o fault_n but_o we_o that_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v he_o nor_o shall_v our_o not_o have_v possession_n be_v think_v any_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o the_o least_o abatement_n of_o our_o love_n or_o thanks_o to_o that_o purpose_n this_o simile_n have_v much_o satisfy_v i_o viz._n suppose_v there_o be_v twenty_o poor_a man_n to_o who_o some_o very_a rich_a man_n have_v promise_v and_o upon_o his_o promise_n be_v actual_o bestow_v one_o hundred_v pound_n apiece_o the_o ten_o or_o last_o of_o those_o poor_a man_n

from_o duty_n or_o ordinance_n either_o by_o take_v up_o all_o thy_o time_n or_o by_o plead_v that_o thou_o be_v unworthy_a to_o come_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n when_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n hinder_v thou_o from_o come_v when_o he_o call_v thou_o all_o sorrow_n as_o to_o these_o effect_n be_v to_o be_v mortify_v 3._o if_o the_o sight_n and_o sorrow_n for_o thy_o sin_n discourage_v thou_o and_o make_v thou_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a thou_o shall_v never_o overcome_v such_o corruption_n such_o sorrow_n be_v not_o from_o god_n the_o apostle_n say_v that_o he_o forget_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v behind_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o must_v forget_v our_o sin_n and_o forget_v our_o grace_n that_o be_v we_o must_v not_o look_v upon_o our_o former_a sinful_a life_n from_o thence_o to_o draw_v such_o sad_a conclusion_n that_o our_o sin_n be_v too_o great_a to_o be_v pardon_v or_o of_o too_o deep_a a_o dye_n to_o be_v cleanse_v or_o our_o corruption_n too_o strong_a to_o be_v conquer_v neither_o must_v we_o look_v upon_o our_o former_a duty_n and_o grace_n as_o if_o now_o we_o may_v slack_v our_o pace_n chap._n vi_o of_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v loose_a upon_o we_o the_o first_o great_a impediment_n of_o holiness_n be_v that_o we_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v loose_a upon_o we_o they_o be_v not_o fasten_v by_o the_o master_n of_o the_o assembly_n as_o nail_n in_o a_o sure_a place_n few_o there_o be_v that_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o any_o other_o ground_n than_o because_o their_o parent_n and_o the_o nation_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o bring_v up_o have_v and_o do_v profess_v it_o but_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v this_o any_o further_a since_o it_o be_v do_v in_o that_o singular_a book_n pink_n trial_n of_o our_o sincere_a love_n to_o christ_n few_o there_o be_v that_o do_v true_o and_o real_o believe_v what_o they_o profess_v they_o be_v rather_o ashamed_a to_o deny_v those_o truth_n which_o all_o among_o who_o they_o live_v profess_v than_o that_o they_o in_o their_o heart_n do_v believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a which_o appear_v partly_o by_o this_o that_o when_o sect_n and_o heresy_n be_v multiply_v and_o abundance_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o sname_v of_o hold_v such_o error_n be_v take_v off_o than_o they_o do_v own_o those_o error_n which_o before_o they_o believe_v but_o be_v ashamed_a to_o profess_v but_o especial_o by_o this_o that_o they_o deny_v those_o truth_n by_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n which_o they_o profess_v with_o their_o tongue_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o may_v be_v conviction_n without_o conversion_n nor_o can_v the_o understanding_n make_v the_o will_v love_v those_o truth_n as_o good_a which_o itself_o believe_v as_o true_a yet_o though_o conviction_n can_v work_v conversion_n yet_o doubtless_o general_o it_o will_v work_v reformation_n the_o way_n to_o gain_v firm_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n be_v to_o build_v our_o faith_n upon_o strong_a and_o irrefragable_a ground_n the_o chief_a if_o not_o the_o only_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n there_o be_v too_o few_o christian_n that_o if_o they_o be_v ask_v how_o they_o can_v prove_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n can_v not_o bring_v one_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v they_o therefore_o i_o do_v advise_v all_o christian_n to_o get_v two_o or_o three_o plain_a and_o evident_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o establish_v themselves_o in_o every_o truth_n they_o hold_v to_o which_o purpose_n i_o can_v but_o commend_v that_o singular_a and_o invaluable_a though_o low_o prize_v book_n the_o assembly_n confession_n of_o faith_n and_o large_a catechism_n for_o in_o the_o margin_n thereof_o be_v set_v down_o the_o choice_a place_n of_o scripture_n for_o proof_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n therein_o specify_v the_o second_o advice_n for_o the_o get_n of_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o begin_v with_o fundamental_o it_o be_v the_o devil_n policy_n to_o set_v we_o upon_o the_o pinnacle_n truth_n of_o the_o temple_n at_o first_o as_o some_o now_o do_v as_o soon_o as_o they_o think_v of_o religion_n they_o enter_v upon_o the_o point_n of_o election_n and_o reprobation_n by_o this_o mean_v they_o be_v dazzle_v and_o grow_v giddy_a and_o fall_v headlong_o into_o perdition_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o art_n trade_n or_o science_n but_o there_o be_v a_o method_n in_o teach_v of_o they_o the_o rudiment_n be_v first_o to_o be_v learn_v and_o afterward_o the_o high_a truth_n or_o practice_n as_o whosoever_o intend_v to_o learn_v upon_o the_o lute_n shall_v begin_v with_o the_o difficult'_v lesson_n at_o first_o will_v be_v discourage_v and_o disenable_v from_o proceed_v any_o far_o so_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n the_o plain_a and_o most_o fundamental_o be_v first_o to_o be_v learn_v and_o then_o those_o which_o be_v less_o fundamental_a the_o three_o advice_n be_v to_o venture_v something_o upon_o the_o truth_n you_o know_v and_o will_v strengthen_v your_o faith_n in_o they_o nay_o may_v i_o say_v unto_o you_o though_o you_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a but_o only_o think_v that_o they_o may_v be_v true_a do_v as_o those_o do_v who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n if_o the_o experiment_n will_v cost_v they_o but_o little_a and_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o he_o he_o will_v make_v experiment_n of_o it_o so_o in_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n will_v you_o know_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a or_o no_o our_o saviour_n tell_v how_o you_o may_v make_v the_o experiment_n keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n it_o will_v cost_v you_o but_o little_a so_o to_o do_v and_o then_o you_o shall_v know_v etc._n etc._n john_n 7.17_o so_o if_o you_o will_v know_v whether_o that_o say_n be_v true_a mark_v 10.30_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o it_o leave_v something_o for_o christ_n if_o ever_o occasion_n be_v leave_v land_n house_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o extraordinary_a time_n of_o persecution_n fall_v not_o in_o thy_o day_n so_o that_o thou_o shall_v have_v no_o opportunity_n to_o make_v such_o a_o experiment_n yet_o leave_v thy_o lust_n and_o unlawful_a game_n and_o pleasure_n the_o esteem_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n require_v it_o of_o thou_o and_o try_v whether_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o hundred_o fold_v advantage_n to_o thou_o even_o in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v true_a it_o may_v be_v god_n will_v pay_v thou_o in_o diamond_n which_o thou_o lay_v out_o in_o farthing_n in_o peace_n of_o conscience_n in_o spiritual_a grace_n or_o comfort_n whereas_o that_o which_o thou_o do_v part_v with_o for_o his_o sake_n be_v it_o may_v be_v some_o worldly_a profit_n pleasure_n or_o credit_n or_o that_o which_o be_v much_o worse_o some_o filthy_a lust_n but_o concern_v further_a direction_n for_o the_o beget_n and_o strengthen_v of_o our_o faith_n and_o to_o preserve_v we_o from_o error_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o preface_n of_o my_o annotation_n upon_o the_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o chapter_n of_o matthew_n chap._n vii_o the_o next_o impediment_n be_v want_v of_o consideration_n the_o second_o great_a impediment_n of_o holiness_n be_v want_v of_o consideration_n there_o be_v many_o truth_n not_o only_o such_o glorious_a truth_n as_o the_o gospel_n but_o even_o such_o truth_n that_o even_o the_o very_a heathen_a themselves_o do_v and_o do_v believe_v the_o bare_a knowledge_n whereof_o though_o it_o have_v little_a excellency_n in_o itself_o yet_o if_o they_o be_v true_o consider_v and_o improve_v will_v be_v of_o singular_a use_n and_o advantage_n to_o we_o who_o be_v there_o among_o we_o that_o know_v not_o that_o he_o must_v die_v yet_o how_o few_o do_v consider_v and_o improve_v this_o plain_a truth_n we_o let_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n lie_v by_o we_o and_o store_v they_o up_o as_o divers_a lady_n do_v their_o rarity_n and_o curiosity_n in_o their_o closert_n only_o to_o show_v they_o to_o those_o that_o come_v to_o see_v we_o so_o we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o discourse_v of_o they_o and_o rather_o as_o matter_n of_o ostentation_n to_o boast_v of_o and_o pride_n ourselves_o in_o than_o as_o thing_n by_o the_o improvement_n whereof_o we_o may_v gain_v everlasting_a life_n or_o as_o great_a person_n do_v of_o their_o garden_n sometime_o to_o walk_v in_o they_o and_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o beauty_n and_o send_v of_o the_o flower_n that_o grow_v there_o than_o as_o the_o bee_n do_v to_o draw_v honey_n from_o they_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a kingdom_n that_o revolt_v from_o their_o prince_n and_o stand_v in_o open_a defiance_n against_o he_o