Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	deceive_v	zeal_n	zealous_a	25	3	8.9685	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59072	God, the king, and the church (to wit) government both civil and sacred together instituted ... and throughout all, the Church of England ... vindicated : being the subject of eight sermons, preached ... / and now published by George Seignior ...	Seignior, George, d. 1678.	1670 (1670)	Wing S2417; ESTC R19835	158,466	284

care not much to be contained within the limits of their Duty the Boundaries that are set them for a holy life in an exact obedience to government both sacred and civil however that zeal which is not only for but according unto Godliness is no enemy unto Charity it beareth all things and it believeth all things till it find it self to be miserably deceived and then zeal being provoked to shew it self is honest still just and upright in the sight of God and Man it rejoyceth not in iniquity but persisteth in the truth exhibiting it self chiefly in vertuous and holy Actions spending it self upon the ingenuous arts and contrivances of love that so it may be Profitable unto all which is the Third Thing In which Zeal manifests its self as Good it is Bonum Vtile a most profitable good it is profitable for example and imitation like the Holy Scriptures the Rule by which it acts it is profitable for correction and reproof and for instruction in righteousness who will ever take that man for his pattern who is unconstant to himself he is shrewdly to be suspected for a double-minded man who is unstable in his ways But he that sets himself against all opposition to persevere in the way of truth who hath made his face like a flint in the Prophets phrase neither will he be ashamed one that will not give himself the least ease or relaxation from the performance of that which he has learnt to be his Duty one that has no Latitude as to those things in which both Law and Conscience do oblige him such a one is a successful example of courage and constancy unto others that they do not fall away from their own stedfastness whilst Daniel prayes in Babylon with his window open to Jerusalem notwithstanding the danger he was in for so doing though the Children of the Captivity were in a strange Land yet having so good a president they could not but think of the songs of Sion Some are like the Fish Polipus of the colour of the Rock unto which they cleave and because so they are in the common Proverb neither good fish nor flesh they tell us that we must comply with present circumstances it is disputable whether God does and it 's certain Man does not know future contingencies and whatsoever they be by a fatal necessity we must yield to them the God of Nature does not command that we should make our lives a snare to our selves a prudential un-vexatious obedience is all that he requires and this is to be perfect as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect This indeed were good Divinity were a Politician the Dr. of the Chair but how it will consist with the plain and simple Dictates of Christianity we want a Machiavel or his soul by an unheard of Metempsychosis actuating a Leviathan one who resolves all anorality either into positive Laws or into present local though contingent circumstances to determine the controversie But a resolved generous Soul is not of so temporary a Spirit his zeal is profitable unto others because good in it self every way and at all times good good because it is pleasant even the peace of God unto the pious soul and good because it is honest it thinks no evil but rejoyceth in the truth and good because it is a steddy example of holiness of purity and constancy unto others without being puffed up in prosperity terrified in adversity It remains therefore that this Apostolical Approbation have both an honorable mention and an hearty entertainment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealous And so I proceed to the Second part of the Text Ratio Approbandi The Reason of this Approbation and that First Taken from the Object 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It must be in a good thing In qualifying and distinguishing the Passions by their Objects some are good when their Objects are bad such is anger and hatred which are only then good when they are vented against Sin Be ye angry and sin not some are Bad when their Objects are but semingly good such is Love and Desire for it is possible and we find it often by sad experience that we do affect that which is in it self really evil only because it presents it self to us sub specie Boni jucundi under the specious pretence of a pleasurable Good But after all this zeal is a kind of more mixed Passion in reference to its Object take it for envy when it is bad when the Object is Good it is like the unhappy Locusts that cannot endure to see a green Leaf on the Trees take it for imitation or emulation only when the Object is Good is that Good also bonum est ut invideamini in bonis rebus semper Vars. Syr. It is Good either that you should be envied at by others or that you should have some kind strivings amongst your selves concerning things that are Good there is a pious kind of envy a holy zeal and emulation when we do strive and provoke one another in love unto Good Works To be a little more close and particular Zeal is good in relation unto a good Object upon these three accounts 1. Because it is there directed by a good rule the Word of God 2ly Managed upon a good Matter which bears a due proportion to that Rule 3ly Guided by a good intention not being over-byassed or over-ballanced by any sinister and by-respects A word or two of each of these First Zeal is good in relation to the Object if it be directed by a good Rule the Word of God The truly pious Zealiot in all his heats and ardors for the cause of God is to be very careful lest he should in any wise transgress that Rule of Righteousness which is prescribed to him as the revealed Will of that Master to whom he serves though Jehu drove furiously yet he was not to be blamed when he had this fixed resolution That there should fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord which the Lord had spoken There is a thing which is called a sure Word of Prophecy to which we shall do well that we take heed in meekness and in fear that we do not in the least prevent the impulse of the Holy Ghost within us moving us to do that which is contrary to the dictates of the Spirit either speaking in his Word ruling in the sanctions and determinations of the Church They then who talk big words of an illumination or a Light within them and yet regard not the Law of God which should be a Light unto their feet and a Lanthern unto their paths whilst they offer up strange fire to the Lord they and their Sacrifices are abhorred and God seems thus to speak to them in the Language of his Prophet Isaiah 50.11 All you that kindle a fire that compass your selves about with sparks walk you in the light of your fire and in the sparks which you

was the Sermon upon the Mount But those seemed to be places not of his seeking whilst he went about doing good he designed no separation from the Jewish Church but as once or twice occasion offered and the people sought him out he could not but at the same time feed their Souls as well as their bodies But if you would observe him according to his custome St. Luc. 4.15 16. He taught in their Synagogues and was glorified of all he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his Custom was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day nay he gave diligent attention to and in some sort assisted in the Offices which were there performed for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he stood up to read and delivering the Book to the Minister he expounded to them the Lesson that was then read in the course of the Jewish Service as I may so say the Gospel for the day for it was out of the Evangelical Prophet Esaias 21. This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears was not all this a Regular and a Solemn Administration We find at another time St. Luc. 7.4 that Elders of the Jews thought it a good argument to move his compassion to restore the Centurion's Servant to health when they could thus plead for him that he was worthy for whom he should do this since he loved their Nation and had built them a Synagogue twice he whip'd the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple and overthrew the Tables of the Mony-changers that being a place to receive sinners not Publicans nay St. Mar. 11.16 He would not suffer that any man should carry any Vessel through the Temple even the Outmost part of it supposed to be the same in the Text Solomon's Porch and the reason of all assigned is this because the House of God is to be a House of Prayer and that not only to the people of the Jews but likewise unto all Nations why then should that House or any like it by any Nation professing Christianity be made a Den of Thieves thus you see how the Zeal of God and of Gods House did devour him Secondly By the way I cannot but observe let this Atheistical age think what they will of a Liberty that they may take of alienating and prophaning consecrated places even the Ground may be Holy it was the good will of God in the Bush that pronounced it so surely That sin cannot but be exceeding sinful which the Judge of all the earth while he was but in the form of a Servant did twice so severely punish with his own hands But to proceed let it be further said for our Saviour that he went always up to Jerusalem according to the custome of the East and in the midst of such a solemnity did he choose to be offered up a Sacrifice for the Sins of the world and though once indeed he was tardy and the Pharisees muttered amongst themselves what will he not come up unto the Feast St. Joh. 11.56 yet his presence immediately silenced all those Jealousies telling them and all the world that his Principle was Conformity nay to the last thus he witnessed to the High Priest whom in this he seemed to own as his Visitor a good confession St. Joh. 18.20 when he could plead in the same words both his Piety and his Innocence I speak openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jews always resort and in secret have I said nothing From our Saviour's Practice we proceed to consider what was his Precept and that was this St. Mat. 23.2 3. The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses's seat all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do as if they were the rather to be heard onely because of a due Succession and Administration continued amongst them however perverse the Pharisees might be in their lives they say and do not yet hear and observe them for they do not sit in the stool of wickedness but in the chair of Moses Nay however the circumstances of his life might occasion him once or twice to teach those that followed him in solatary places onely because they followed not that he called them after him for his intention was to go and pray by himself alone at one of those times nay his compassion was moved when he saw the people as sheep not having a Shepherd St. Mark 6.34 and therefore he taught them many things he did not design to lead them astray from their proper Pastors I say notwithstanding this not long before his death our Saviour forewarns his Disciples and in them all us of false Christs and false Prophets that should arise to deceive them St. Mat. 24.24 25. Behold I have told you before how careful he is lest they should be mistaken and in the parallel Text St. Mar. 13.23 Take yee heed behold I have foretold you all things if they shall say unto you Behold here is Christ or there is Christ believe them not and go not after them if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the Desart go not forth Behold he is in the secret Chamber believe it not Christ is not to be found in the Desart not in a wast and a howling Wilderness not in the confusions of Government Discipline and Order not amidst the confusions of those who have once and would yet again lead us through a Red Sea of our own blood but not to bring us into Canaan all their Promised Land is a dismal Wilderness and in it nothing but fiery Serpents a Generation of Vipers to destroy us No neither is Christ to be found in the secret Chamber the God of truth himself has said so surely then not amidst the private Junctoet and Caballs of the Rebellious and Disobedient though he was crucified betwixt two yet the benefits of his death are not to be dispensed in a Den of Theives Oh Then so long as Solomon's Porch is open be not deceived it is not Truth but error and sedition betakes it self unto corners The Apostles were also mindful of what their Master did and what he taught after the Resurrection they remembred his Solemn entrance into the Temple and how it had been written of him that the zeal of Gods House should devour him they therefore from his example rejoice to appear with multitudes in the House of God They were altogether with one accord in Solomon's Porch And so from our Saviour's we descend to the Practice of the Apostles and of the Primitive Christians how that they also did not usually assemble for the Worship and service of God in private houses or in solitary places so long as any but the outmost part of the Temple was allowed them to meet in True indeed Act. 2.46 we find the Disciples breaking their bread from House to House but then the Bread which was broken was broken in no other publique place besides and

satisfaction and Benefit Yea and this does intimate unto us the great advantage of solemn and regular institutions in the Church in that the meannest and the plainest persons may joyn in its communion each man particularly reflecting upon his own circumstances may beforehand resolve and apply such and such particular passages in Divine Services to the like particular emergency in himself and so literally prepare himself for the worship of his God according to the preparations of his Sanctuary such Petitions as these are the Prayers of Faith the Church does thus receive a liberal addition but the Belief is in the Lord we may with the more confidence expect acceptance when we make our humble requests in the voice of the Church Prayers which were certainly composed by the assistance of the Holy Ghost for these two Articles in our Creed follow one on the other the Holy Ghost and the Holy Church this is the best and most effectual Praying by the Spirit when Publick Prayers are in Faith and Piety referred to private necessities he that has Faith has it to himself and therefore for himself each one says I Believe but when we pray it is to be with a Publick Spirit in regard to a whole Community and therefore Christ has taught us to say Our Father Vis unita fortior both the Solemnity as of God and the whole assembly as before him do contribute much to the intensness and vehemency of the Devotion it is thus an effectual fervent Prayer because in and by the Church and so the greater are the praises ascribed unto God amongst the Multitudes Which is the Third instance of this Great Benefit at this present Ecclesiastical Dispensation the Benefit Great because diffusive the Redemption pretious because intimated that it might be Universal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Believers added to the Lord in the Community of the Church were Multitudes Multitudes and those in a Communion together with one accord how were the Solemnities in Solomons Porch both glorious and efficacious this was the Gospels great energy at the first in that it gained Proselytes unto its profession by Multitudes But alas this has of later years been the Epidemical Degeneracy in the Christian world in that our Religion looses of its followers even to a Popular Backsliding Is it not sad to reflect upon it that the Church should be almost reduced to a necessity of humouring the Multitude against its own Communion whereas external unity was wont to be effectual in the hearts of all how many soever they were that saw it that they should seek after it And yet this is Visible beit in reality or in strife their number is great who by Faith in the Lord are added to the Church and therefore though we cannot suppose the Multitudes here to be so distinguished yet the usual account given us of the Outward Church is that the Multitudes in its Communion are of two sorts either formal Professors or sincere true Believers and both these do belong to Christs Visible Body the Tares will multiply together with the good Corn untill the harvest one and the same Field incloseth both they are not separated till that which proves best is fit for the Granary in the mean time it is not for man to presume to make a difference so the Church increase by Multitudes we are therein to rejoyce and in our joy to hide even a Multitude of Sins let every one examine his own heart whether he experience to a spiritual and a holy advantage the comfortable effect of that Communion under which he lives and so as to the Multitudes a judgment of Charity will in the best sense and to very good purpose comprehend them all whatsoever may be the Election of grace this is sure we are not to be censorious in reference to the present or future state of any since the seal of that Election is that God onely knows who are his however for our comfort with him there is no respect of persons of every Age and of every sex whosoever worketh righteousness is accepted with him the Multitudes seem to imply all the Young and Old high and low One with another but more particularly this General Division of Mankind is specified to shew that the whole race is included Which is the Fourth Instance of a great Benefit in this present Dispensation there was no difference in relation unto Sex in Christ Jesus it is neither Male nor Female but a New Creature even the weaker Vessel has here its equal honour and proportionable too in its number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there were Multitudes as of Men so of Women of honourable and vertuous Women and of holy Men not a few Vtriusque sexus fit mentio quia in utroque judicium sacrilegii Mention is here made of both sexes because that Gods judgment against the sin of Sacrilege was exerted upon both Ananias and his Wife were alike consenting to the sin and they share alike in the dreadful punishment that hence both Men and Women be fore-warned that they should be as the Apostle directs Gal. 3.28 As Male and Female all one in not against Christ Jesus Considering in the Text both Sexes met together in a holy Communion their faith increased with the increase of God I might observe how that schism and separation like the Devil of old begins with a Division even upon this account first surprising and shattering the weaker Vessel Women who because of their tender apprehensions and their weaker judgments do quickly embrace any thing that is offered them in reference to a future state are many times seduced into a mistake Act. 13.50 even the Devotion of honourable Women was abused by the Jews unto errour they raising a persecution against St. Paul by this means whom they could easily perswade that in so doing they did God good service I would not here speak without a witness what I urge is from the Scripture 2 Tim. 3.6 Of this sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women who are ever learning and because thus deceived they never come to the knowledge of the Truth But this is not as Men and Women professing Godliness God from the begining intended that they should be meet helps to each other not only in the circumstances of humane life but also of Divine and Religious worship and shall they act the Devils part one against another what must they seduce and betray and that of all things in Gods service What is the Wife in the Bosome a Serpent there or is the Man at her right hand a Lion in the way to devour No may they live together as becometh holiness the one in love honour and prudence the other in silence and obedience both together in godliness and sobriety which have the Blessing of this life and of that which is to come let us all therefore both Men and Women without designes upon each other as One in the Lord chuse those things