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truth_n goodness_n lord_n merciful_a 1,997 5 8.9155 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33349 Three practical essays ... containing instructions for a holy life, with earnest exhortations, especially to young persons, drawn from the consideration of the severity of the discipline of the primitive church / by Samuel Clark ...; Whole duty of a Christian Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682. 1699 (1699) Wing C4561; ESTC R11363 120,109 256

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of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n 2._o god_n be_v a_o be_v as_o of_o infinite_a purity_n and_o holiness_n so_o also_o of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n and_o as_o he_o can_v possible_o be_v reconcile_v to_o man_n so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v wicked_a so_o when_o ever_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o and_o return_v again_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o god_n command_n and_o to_o the_o imitation_n of_o his_o nature_n we_o can_v suppose_v but_o that_o he_o will_v again_o admit_v they_o to_o his_o pardon_n and_o favour_n goodness_n and_o mercy_n be_v our_o most_o natural_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o the_o discovery_n which_o he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o by_o revelation_n be_v most_o exact_o agreeable_a thereto_o at_o the_o pass_n by_o of_o his_o glory_n before_o moses_n he_o proclaim_v himself_o the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a long-suffering_a and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n forgive_a iniquity_n transgression_n and_o sin_n exod._n 34._o 6._o by_o the_o prophet_n he_o declare_v and_o swear_v by_o himself_o as_o i_o live_v say_v the_o lord_n i_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o death_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o that_o the_o wicked_a turn_n from_o his_o way_n and_o live_v ezek._n 33._o 1●_n and_o above_o all_o by_o that_o stupendous_a instance_n of_o mercy_n the_o send_v his_o only_a son_n out_o of_o his_o bosom_n to_o give_v himself_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n he_o have_v discover_v such_o a_o earnest_a desire_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n and_o salvation_n as_o will_v be_v the_o everlasting_a subject_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n and_o the_o admiration_n of_o angel_n if_o therefore_o god_n when_o he_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n of_o perfect_a obedience_n and_o have_v not_o promise_v pardon_v at_o all_o to_o great_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n do_v yet_o give_v pardon_n and_o declare_v also_o to_o the_o jew_n by_o his_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v do_v so_o and_o if_o when_o man_n be_v yet_o enemy_n to_o he_o he_o be_v so_o willing_a that_o not_o any_o shall_v perish_v but_o all_o shall_v come_v to_o repentance_n 9_o yea_o so_o desirous_a to_o have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v save_v and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o he_o not_o only_o spare_v not_o his_o own_o son_n to_o 4._o deliver_v he_o up_o for_o we_o all_o but_o tell_v we_o even_o of_o joy_n in_o heaven_n at_o a_o sinner_n accept_v the_o gracious_a term_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o represent_v himself_o as_o a_o tender_a father_n run_v to_o meet_v his_o return_v prodigal_a and_o fall_v up-his_a neck_n and_o kiss_v he_o if_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o compassion_n which_o god_n show_v to_o man_n in_o his_o first_o sinful_a and_o miserable_a state_n it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v and_o hope_v that_o his_o mercy_n be_v not_o so_o entire_o exhaust_v at_o once_o but_o that_o the_o same_o pity_n may_v be_v yet_o further_o extend_v even_o to_o those_o also_o who_o after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n have_v be_v seduce_v by_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n to_o depart_v from_o god_n and_o to_o forsake_v their_o duty_n shall_v again_o return_v unto_o he_o with_o sincerity_n and_o perseverance_n 3._o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o teach_v 12._o we_o to_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n and_o certain_o whensoever_o it_o come_v to_o have_v this_o effect_n upon_o a_o man_n it_o give_v he_o a_o title_n to_o the_o bless_a hope_n and_o a_o well-grounded_n assurance_n of_o mercy_n at_o the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o the_o great_a god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a sum_n of_o affair_n be_v now_o establish_v be_v faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o whensoever_o a_o 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hazard_v their_o everlasting_a welfare_n can_v we_o think_v it_o possible_a i_o say_v that_o rational_a creature_n shall_v act_v with_o so_o prodigious_a a_o carelessness_n who_o yet_o believe_v not_o that_o the_o scene_n of_o this_o world_n shall_v be_v shut_v up_o in_o everlasting_a oblivion_n but_o that_o there_o will_v come_v a_o day_n wherein_o they_o must_v give_v account_n for_o their_o work_n and_o be_v according_o happy_a or_o miserable_a for_o ever_o no_o certain_o whatever_o pretence_n man_n may_v make_v to_o deceive_v other_o and_o perhaps_o in_o some_o measure_n themselves_o too_o there_o must_v lurk_v some_o secret_a seed_n of_o infidelity_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o every_o wicked_a man_n and_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o this_o world_n have_v so_o much_o the_o ascendant_n over_o the_o live_v of_o christian_n must_v be_v their_o not_o have_v a_o firm_a belief_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o other_o whoever_o therefore_o will_v so_o enter_v into_o a_o religious_a course_n 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this_o not_o slight_a and_o superficial_a but_o firm_a and_o well-grounded_n and_o immovable_a against_o all_o assault_n a_o man_n ought_v to_o proceed_v by_o these_o step_n first_o he_o must_v by_o serious_a consideration_n work_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n a_o full_a and_o perfect_a conviction_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o attribute_n from_o thence_o he_o must_v collect_v the_o certainty_n of_o god_n providence_n over_o man_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o man_n duty_n towards_o god_n from_o hence_o will_v follow_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n here_o and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o reward_n of_o virtue_n hereafter_o after_o this_o he_o must_v consider_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n to_o establish_v true_a religion_n and_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o christian_a institution_n to_o be_v such_o a_o revelation_n and_o above_o all_o he_o must_v fix_v these_o thing_n strong_o and_o imprint_v they_o on_o his_o mind_n 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true_a and_o good_a be_v who_o nature_n and_o who_o happiness_n consist_v in_o the_o perfection_n and_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o these_o attribute_n must_v be_v please_v with_o those_o creature_n who_o love_n to_o imitate_v his_o justice_n his_o goodness_n and_o his_o truth_n therefore_o there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v a_o reward_n lay_v up_o in_o store_n for_o virtue_n and_o those_o who_o delight_n it_o have_v be_v to_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o likeness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n shall_v certain_o be_v admit_v to_o partake_v in_o some_o degree_n of_o the_o divine_a happiness_n wherefore_o if_o this_o reward_n be_v not_o give_v to_o virtue_n in_o this_o present_a life_n if_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n be_v distribute_v not_o only_o promiscuous_o but_o even_o general_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o the_o virtuous_a and_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o those_o who_o
be_v so_o 4._o again_o that_o the_o exercise_n of_o those_o great_a moral_a virtue_n of_o godliness_n righteousness_n and_o temperance_n be_v a_o thing_n indispensable_o necessary_a to_o prepare_v man_n for_o that_o happiness_n which_o be_v the_o reward_n of_o religion_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o happiness_n the_o happiness_n which_o religion_n promise_v to_o holy_a and_o good_a man_n be_v this_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o bless_a society_n of_o angel_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a and_o that_o 23._o with_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o immediate_a presence_n of_o god_n to_o enjoy_v that_o satisfaction_n which_o must_v necessary_o arise_v from_o the_o contemplation_n of_o his_o perfection_n and_o from_o the_o 〈…〉_z of_o his_o favour_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n than_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o exercise_n of_o virtue_n be_v indispensable_o necessary_a to_o prepare_v man_n for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o happiness_n for_o what_o agreement_n can_v there_o be_v between_o a_o sensual_a spiteful_a or_o malicious_a soul_n and_o the_o pure_a society_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a we_o see_v even_o in_o this_o life_n how_o ungrateful_a the_o society_n of_o good_a man_n be_v unto_o those_o that_o be_v wicked_a and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o so_o doubtless_o it_o will_v be_v in_o the_o other_o world_n those_o soul_n which_o have_v be_v whole_o immerse_v in_o sense_n and_o give_v up_o to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o present_a world_n can_v never_o be_v fit_a company_n for_o those_o spiritual_a and_o refine_a mind_n who_o desire_n and_o enjoyment_n be_v as_o far_o exalt_v above_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v gross_a and_o sensual_a as_o heaven_n be_v above_o earth_n and_o those_o malicious_a spirit_n who_o delight_n upon_o earth_n be_v in_o nothing_o but_o hatred_n envy_n and_o revenge_n can_v never_o converse_v in_o heaven_n with_o those_o divine_a soul_n who_o feed_v and_o live_v upon_o no_o other_o pleasure_n but_o those_o of_o goodness_n holiness_n and_o love_n in_o like_a manner_n what_o can_v be_v more_o impossible_a than_o for_o a_o earthly_a and_o wicked_a soul_n to_o be_v make_v happy_a by_o the_o vision_n and_o fruition_n of_o god_n to_o see_v god_n be_v to_o behold_v and_o contemplate_v those_o glorious_a perfection_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n purity_n and_o truth_n and_o to_o enjoy_v god_n be_v so_o to_o love_n and_o adore_v those_o amiable_a perfection_n as_o to_o be_v transform_v into_o the_o likeness_n and_o resemblance_n of_o they_o and_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o wicked_a soul_n to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o this_o happiness_n tell_v a_o covetous_a worldling_n of_o a_o treasure_n lay_v up_o in_o heaven_n where_o neither_o 20._o moth_n nor_o rust_n do_v corrupt_a and_o where_o thief_n do_v not_o break_v through_o and_o steal_v tell_v he_o of_o a_o never-fading_a inheritance_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v or_o of_o a_o city_n not_o make_v with_o hand_n who_o builder_n and_o maker_n be_v 10._o god_n tell_v a_o ambitious_a aspire_a mind_n of_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v hereafter_o 18._o or_o a_o voluptuous_a person_n of_o spiritual_a and_o refine_a pleasure_n which_o eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v neither_o have_v it_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v they_o 9_o and_o will_v they_o have_v any_o relish_n of_o these_o thing_n will_v they_o not_o be_v much_o more_o inquisitive_a after_o the_o glory_n of_o earth_n and_o the_o gratification_n of_o sense_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o suppose_v god_n shall_v work_v a_o miracle_n for_o these_o man_n and_o when_o he_o remove_v they_o into_o another_o world_n shall_v transform_v they_o also_o into_o new_a creature_n it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o enjoy_v the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n than_o for_o body_n to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o spirit_n or_o for_o darkness_n to_o have_v communion_n and_o agreement_n with_o light_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o if_o god_n shall_v transplant_v these_o man_n into_o heaven_n he_o can_v not_o make_v they_o happy_a there_o but_o while_o they_o be_v so_o exceed_o indispose_v for_o it_o nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o he_o never_o will_n the_o exercise_n therefore_o of_o virtue_n be_v the_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o happiness_n and_o in_o proportion_n as_o we_o draw_v near_o to_o the_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n so_o do_v we_o to_o the_o fountain_n and_o perfection_n of_o happiness_n the_o great_a degree_n of_o virtue_n any_o be_v be_v endue_v with_o so_o much_o the_o high_a rank_n do_v it_o obtain_v in_o the_o order_n of_o creature_n the_o high_a angel_n so_o much_o as_o they_o obey_v the_o will_n of_o god_n more_o entire_o and_o imitate_v the_o divine_a life_n more_o perfect_o than_o man_n do_v so_o much_o be_v they_o exalt_v above_o man_n and_o have_v a_o near_a approach_n to_o the_o immediate_a presence_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n and_o by_o how_o much_o one_o man_n in_o this_o life_n obtain_v a_o great_a degree_n of_o holiness_n than_o another_o so_o much_o a_o more_o excellent_a degree_n of_o happiness_a be_v he_o prepare_v to_o receive_v in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v 5._o and_o that_o god_n agreeable_o to_o this_o natural_a order_n of_o thing_n do_v true_o and_o sincere_o desire_v to_o make_v man_n happy_a by_o the_o exercise_n of_o virtue_n be_v evident_a both_o from_o our_o natural_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o reveal_v declaration_n of_o his_o will._n god_n who_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o happy_a in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o himself_o and_o who_o create_v all_o thing_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o to_o communicate_v to_o they_o his_o perfection_n and_o his_o happiness_n can_v possible_o but_o make_v every_o man_n as_o happy_a as_o the_o condition_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o improvement_n of_o his_o virtue_n make_v he_o capable_a to_o be_v and_o that_o he_o will_v do_v so_o he_o have_v moreover_o assure_v we_o by_o most_o express_a and_o repeat_v declaration_n he_o declare_v that_o his_o delight_n be_v in_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o that_o he_o rejoice_v over_o they_o for_o good_a he_o invite_v man_n with_o all_o the_o tender_a promise_n of_o a_o compassionate_a father_n to_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n and_o swear_v by_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o earnest_o desire_v that_o they_o shall_v return_v and_o live_v and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o imagine_v that_o god_n have_v secret_o make_v any_o determination_n which_o may_v be_v contrary_a to_o what_o he_o have_v so_o open_o and_o express_o reveal_v what_o sort_n of_o man_n he_o have_v decree_v to_o be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a he_o have_v clear_o and_o full_o declare_v to_o we_o in_o his_o word_n and_o other_o decree_n than_o this_o if_o he_o have_v at_o all_o make_v any_o it_o be_v neither_o necessary_a nor_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o know_v sufficient_a it_o be_v for_o we_o that_o as_o sure_a as_o god_n and_o his_o scripture_n be_v true_a so_o sure_o be_v we_o that_o he_o that_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v happy_a and_o that_o god_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v decree_v any_o thing_n whereby_o a_o true_o religious_a man_n may_v be_v exclude_v from_o happiness_n or_o a_o sincere_a man_n from_o the_o possibility_n of_o become_v true_o religious_a 6._o since_o therefore_o god_n true_o and_o sincere_o desire_v to_o make_v man_n happy_a by_o the_o exercise_n of_o virtue_n and_o since_o that_o virtue_n which_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o happiness_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o great_a moral_a duty_n of_o godliness_n righteousness_n and_o temperance_n which_o be_v the_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a law_n of_o god_n as_o have_v already_o be_v show_v it_o follow_v necessary_o that_o the_o great_a and_o ultimate_a design_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o recommend_v these_o virtue_n and_o to_o enforce_v their_o practice_n other_o thing_n may_v be_v help_n and_o assistance_n of_o religion_n many_o external_n observance_n may_v for_o wise_a reason_n be_v positive_o command_v and_o may_v be_v of_o exceed_v great_a use_n as_o mean_n to_o promote_v devotion_n and_o piety_n but_o the_o life_n and_o substance_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n the_o end_n and_o scope_n in_o which_o all_o thing_n else_o must_v terminate_v can_v possible_o be_v any_o other_o than_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o great_a and_o eternal_a duty_n 7._o in_o natural_a religion_n this_o be_v very_o evident_a for_o the_o foundation_n of_o its_o obligation_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o