Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	heart_n	lord_n	sincerity_n	1,662	5	9.7763	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A73546	A discourse of the sinne against the Holy Ghost Grounded upon Matt. Chap. 12. vers. 22.-23. Tending to the comfort of such persons as, being afflicted in conscience for their sins, are, by the delusions of Satan, brought to the brinke of despaire, through feare that they have fallen into that unpardonable sinne. Written some space of time since, by that godly and judicious divine M. William Bradshaw, sometime fellow of Sydny Colledge in Cambridge; and publish'd by his sonne Iohn Bradshaw.	Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.; Bradshaw, John, 17th cent.	1640 (1640)	STC 3515.5; Wing B4156; ESTC S91179	48,035	158

end the Lord of hi● mercy give us all right understandings humble hearts te●der consciences the feare of h●● Name the love of his truth sincerity of faith and truth obedience that our faylings m● neither become fallings nor o● fallings irrecoverable that 〈◊〉 we sinne we may repent if 〈◊〉 repent wee may be forgiven we be forgiven wee may be a●cepted and if accepted we m● for ever be glorified through IESVS CHRIST our LORD Thine an unworthy Minister of Iesus Christ IOHN BRADSHAW April 1. 1640. Martii 30 1640. Imprimatur THO WYKES MATH CHAP. 12. VERSE 22. THen was brought to him one posses●ed with a Devill blind and dumb ●nd he healed him so that hee that ●as blind and dumb both spake and ●aw 3. And all the people were amased and said Is not this the Sonne of David 4 But when the Pharisees heard it they said This fellow doth not east out the Devils but through Beelzebub the Prince of Devils 5. And Iesus knew their thoughts and said unto them Every Kingdome divided against it selfe is brought to desolation and every City or House divided against it selfe shall not stand 6. But if Satan cast out Satan hee is divided against himselfe how shall then his k●ngdome st●nd 27. And if I by Beelzebub cast o● Devils by whom do your childr●● cast them out they therfore sh●● be your Iudges 28. But if I cast out Devils by 〈◊〉 Spirit of God then is the Ki●●dome of God come unto you 29. Or else how can one enter in● strong mans house and spoile● goods except hee first binde strong man and then spoile may his house 30. He that is not with me is aga●● me and hee that gathereth 〈◊〉 with me scattereth 31. Wherefore I say unto you * Or All manner of Sinne. 〈◊〉 Sinne or Blasphemy shall bee 〈◊〉 given unto men but the Bla●●●my against the Holy Ghost 〈◊〉 not be forgiven unto men 32. And whosoever shall spe●● word against the Sonne of 〈◊〉 it shall be forgiven him but 〈◊〉 soever shall speake against 〈◊〉 Holy Ghost it shall not be f●●●●ven him neither in this W●●●● nor in the World to come OF THE SIN AGAINST THE Holy-Ghost MATH CAP. 12. VER 22 23. THough there be no one thing wherein God hath decreed to glorifie himselfe more than in his ●●rcy in forgiving mans sinnes ●d though the greater the sinnes 〈◊〉 the more his mercy shall shine ●he pardoning and remitting of ●●m yet is there one kinde of sinne ●●ainous and horrible so vile and ●●minable that being once com●●ted it shall never be pardoned it being of that nature that it wo●● staine the mercy of God in 〈◊〉 pardoning and remitting of it 〈◊〉 this is the sinne that is called 〈◊〉 Blasphemy against the H●●● Ghost The nature and quality of 〈◊〉 Sinne is set forth in this part of 〈◊〉 word as also Marke 3.28 1. Io● 16. Hebr. 6.4 5 6. 10.26 27 Of the Doctrine whereof a 〈◊〉 may say as the Philosopher 〈◊〉 sometime of the Edition of 〈◊〉 Physicks The Nature of this S● is set downe in the word of 〈◊〉 and it is not set downe in the 〈◊〉 of God For it is so darkl● downe that those that are not ●●cised in the word cannot at 〈◊〉 to the understanding of it an●● it is so set downe and laid fo●● the same word that those that 〈◊〉 the Scripture worthy their st●● may if they will bestow 〈◊〉 paines come to the understan● of it In this History the Evange●● enjoyned and directed by the 〈◊〉 ●host whose publique Notary and ●●cribe he was to register unto the ●hurch one Example of the same 〈◊〉 which one may receive much ●●ght concerning the Qualiry and ●ature of that Sinne. In handling whereof I will ●mit all other points but those that ●ay tend to the illustration of this ●●nne which I trust will not bee 〈◊〉 profitable unto any in this place ●ough I must confesse in setting on the same I more respected my ●e than any of you in that the ●nt of the distinct knowledge ●●reof hath driven mee to bestow ●●ne meditations upon it So much ●●t therefore of it as this portion Scripture hath given unto mee ●n content to impart unto you ●●ugh if you will have an exact ●●full knowledge of it you must ●row further light from those ●●er places of Scripture that pur●ly also intreat of the same The Drift and Scope then of ●everses is to shew us in a parti●r Example what is the Nature and Quality of that unpardon●● Sinne. The parts whereof wee will ●●sider not as they are in themsel● but as they have reference to 〈◊〉 Sinne that so by that means may the better cut off all ma● that shall not tend to the illustra● of it though in themselves ne●● good and profitable There are therefore six thing● pressed in this History conce●● that particular Sinne that is specified which may give 〈◊〉 light to all other of the same k● 1. The Conception of this S● 2. The Birth of it 3. The Name of it 4. The Nature of it 5. The Conviction of it 6. The Condition of it The first part Of the Co●tion of this Sinne. The Conception of it 〈◊〉 means of a wonderfull miracle our Saviour Christ wrought 〈◊〉 one that was possessed bodily an uncleane spirit That d● beame of light that streamed from this miracle shining upon their Consciences did animate and quicken this hellish Monster in the Scribes and Pharisees as it appeares afterward For it is with the light of Gods Spirit as it is with the rayes of the Sunne shining upon divers Objects it produceth divers Effects it bringeth forth through the variety of the soile not the Rose onely but the Nettle not the Fig-tree onely but the Thistle not the Vine onely but the Brier it animateth and quickneth not cleane alone but uncleane Creatures also as Toads Adders Hornets and such like So the divine Truth of Iesus shining upon divers persons it brings forth divers effects and those cleane contrary in some by the blessing of God it produceth many excellent Graces in other some many foul and hideous Sinnes through the Corruption of the soile Hence may we draw these Conclusions concerning this Sinne. The first Conclusion The Sin against the Holy Ghost is quickned as it were by the light and heate of some speciall divine Truth for so is this particular Sin in this place That light of the divine Truth shining about them was i● that first stirred and tempered their Corruption and wrought and framed that monstrous Sinne that had never been begotten if it had neve● shined on them So that the very cause why thi● Sinne is committed is by reaso● that such or such a divine Truth doth present it selfe to the Eye o● their Conscience which if it di● not they would not commit such a Sinne. For Example These wicked Scribes and Pharisees if neither this nor any such like mean● had been used whereby they migh● have perceived

this Truth they had never committed this Sinne but as it is apparent they committed it because of that Truth The Vse whereof may be 1 For information of ou● Iudgment concerning this Sin We see many commit many strange and desperate Sinnes against the light of Gods Word of Conscience yea of Nature it selfe and that also most wilfully and stubbornly obstinately yea with this height of desperate resolution that though they were sure they should goe to hell for it yet they would doe it Though such Sinnes be a fighting against the Truth yet are they not this unpardonable Sinne except the first and principall motion of it doe arise from that divine Truth in such a manner that he would not commit that Sinne but for that divine Truths sake For this is a Sin the very first motions whereof are conceived by the sight of a divine Truth so that it is a Sinne not only committed in the light and against the light but by means of it and even for the Truths sake 2 Sith by reason of the Corruption of Mans minde the divine Truth of God the principall Organ or Instrument of all grace and goodnesse in the Soul of Man especially the Doctrine of the Gospell may work and breed such monsters in the Soule it behooves us to doe our uttermost endeavour to purge and sweep our Soule as much as we can especially when we are in such places where these divine Truths shine and appeare most For else a thousand to one but some Monster will arise in the Soule Neither is there any divine Truth that present● it selfe to the eye of the Conscience but doth breed some Monster or other in a corrupt Soule though not so huge a one as this yet that which may be a spawne a fry and seed to this As therefore in the mud of Aegypt cast up by the overflowing of Nilus are ingendred many vile and filthy creatures by the beames of the Sunne so by the overflowing of Sinne there being as strange mud cast over the Soule strange Monsters will arise out of the same by occasion of the divine light of Truth shining thereupon 3 Hence observe the persons that are most capable of this Sinne they are such as are most capable of divine Illumination and most apprehensive of all Truth A dullard a blinde person that hath no eyes to looke above that which is humane cannot commit this Sinne but those that are able to see and behold the divine Truth So that in this respect Ignorance is an advantage to a man For a narrow braine will not suffice to conceive this Sinne. The Scribes and Pharisees Iulian the Apostata and those that come neerest to this Sinne the grand Arch-persecutors of any divine Truth they are men admirable for gifts There are indeed many insolent Dunses and Sots that are malirious but they receive this malice from the spirits of great wits themselves are but axes and beetles in their hands So that it is not a Mouse that can bring forth this Elephant nor a Wren that can lay and hatch this Eagle 4 Learn hence how to prevent this Sinne. Many there bee indeed that take a most vile course to prevent it they will not know the divine Truth because they will not wilfully resist it and so desperately perish through their wilfull want of it But let our course be for the preventing of it to adore every divine Truth that we receive and not to admit of the least thought against the same Of all Sinnes this should be killed in the wombe For other Sinnes may be cast out of possession and Kingdome this never The second Conclusion The Sinne against the Holy Ghost is not conceived by means o● every divine Truth but of a supernaturall divine Truth that is to say an Evangelicall Truth So that a● every light is not a means to produce and quick●n things but the light of the Sunne onely so every Truth is not a means to breed and animate this Sinne but some Evangelicall Truth onely The Truth hereof appeareth in this Example That divine Truth that here stirred up this Sinne was this that Christ Iesus the Sonne of Mary was the true Messias This it was that stirred up their minds to this Sinne. So that a naturall Truth cannot stirre up such a Sinne as this unpardonable one but as it is plaine Hebr. 6.5 it must be a Truth concerning the Life to come Vse 1 Hence wee may observe the Climate of this Sinne in what Region it is begotten and hatched for the most part if not altogether even in the Church of God it is a Church-Sinne As therefore the greatest Sinner that ordinarily is in the World even that man of Sinne sitteth in the Temple of God so the the greatest Sinne that can bee committed by man is committed in the Church where onely or specially those beames doe shine that stirre up this Sinne in the Soule of Man For as the deadliest Serpents abound in the hottest countries so the deadliest and desperatest Sinnes in those places where the Gospell of God shineth forth in its greatest strength 2 In Temptation the Childe of God may make use of this Conclusion For let the Sinne that he is troubled in Conscience for be never so hainous and desperate against Conscience yet if by the light of the Gospell they have not been stirred up unto it it is not this unpardonable Sinne. The third Conclusion This Sinne is not engendred and stirred up by every Evangelicall Doctrine and Truth but by the maine and fundamentall Doctrines of the Gospell For this was it that begat this Sinne in them that this Christ whom they so horribly revile is that Messias and Saviour of the World This was it that made them spit out this blasphemy because they saw he was so Though therefore there is no Legall nor Evangelicall Truth but it hath this property through the Corruption of mans nature to stirre up the minde to Sinne yet no Truth but a maine and Fundamentall Truth the excellentest Truth and that which being presented to the Soule of an elect Childe of God doth stirre up in him the most principall Graces of God and beget in him an unspeakable Love of God the same Truth it is that begets in the reprobate if God leave them so far unto themselves the highest and most horrible Sinne. For that which is an Instrument of holinesse to the good is an Instrument of impiety to the wicked and so by degrees that Illumination which is the means of the greatest Grace in Gods Children is the means of the greatest Sinnes in the Reprobrate The Doctrine of the Law begetteth many Graces in the heart of Gods Childe the Doctrine of the Gospell more Every Evangelicall Truth is a means of much Grace the Fundamentall and high points thereof much more So on the contrary It is therefore an high Evangelicall Truth that is the stirrer up of this high Diabolicall Sinne. Vse 1 This should admonish us

is an Externall cause out of himselfe Many have many times strange blasphemous thoughts and fantasies yea they many times breake forth into words concerning God concerning Christ concerning the Scripture c. But for their heart-bloud they cannot tell either how they come or how they were moved unto them Now howsoever we have just cause to humble our selves for such Sinnes as rise out of our minds thus we know not how yet have wee n● just cause therfore in regard of them to condemne our selves as guilty o● this horrible Sinne. The second Conclusion Those that commit this Sinne it the committing of it have a respec● to others For others sakes doing that they doe and are in that regar● stirred up unto it As in this Example the Scribes and Pharisees i● blaspheming Christ had a respec● to the people and in this regar● were they stirred up indeed so t●● blaspheme For their intent was to make Christ odious and vile in th● eyes of them that began to admin● adore him And this among me● is the height of malice and despite to revile men and odiously to abu●● them not to themselves onely but to others This Sinne therefore is such a malice and despight as is in a man stirred up by others Vse The dearest Saints and Servants of God having in them many remainders of corruption the Lord many times leaving them to themselves suffereth Satan to buffet them as hee did Paul to the end they might bee humbled and not puffed up with the graces of God ●n them For we carry about with us 〈◊〉 strange nature that will make us proud that wee are not proud and that is the most dangerous pride of ●ll And therefore when God hath given a Christian grace to go before ●thers in many holy exercises to ●ake more conscience of the Word ●abbath Sacraments and Prayer ●han others ordinarily doe and ●ouchsafed in more than ordinary manner to reveale himselfe unto ●im hee leaveth commonly a sting 〈◊〉 the flesh to humble them 2. Cor. 12.7 he suf●eth such sometime to fall into ●any strange Sinnes yea such as may have some resemblance un● the highest and extreamest Sin● against the Holy Ghost But t●● Children of God in such spirit●● desertions are to take heed h●● they boult out of their hearts 〈◊〉 hope of mercy For although 〈◊〉 Sinne they have committed 〈◊〉 have a shew of malice and ha●● to God and his Truth which i● every man in some degree so f●● forth as he is flesh yet so long● is not a malice and despight 〈◊〉 regarding others but certaine ●shings onely it cannot bee 〈◊〉 Sinne. The third Conclusion This Sinne is no Closet Si●● nor Chamber-Sinne or House S● but a publique Sinne a prof● malice and hatred against C●● and his Truth a Sinne procla●● with the sound of Trumpet c●mitted in the market place That Blasphemy therefore 〈◊〉 is ashamed to shew the head 〈◊〉 blusheth to looke a Christian in the ●oe is not this Sinne. This is an im●●dent and a shamelesse Sinne. The fourth Conclusion The very end of this Sinne is a ●●litious purpose and resolution to ●●tinguish the divine truth and love 〈…〉 Christ in others and therefore it ●●sireth to imprint that malice upon ●●hers as these here doe yea this is 〈◊〉 very reason why it is commit●● The fifth Conclusion This Sinne is a Sinne of Oppo●●●on and Contradiction when ●n malitiously and spightfully op●●e themselves unto and contra●● the Truth of God professed by ●●●ers and that to the face of the ●●fessors of it yea and therfore be●●e it is professed by others The sixth Conclusion They that commit this Sinne of all other things can least endure 〈◊〉 contrary practise and professio● others but according to the deg●● thereof are the degrees of this 〈◊〉 and by that very practise and p●fession of others are men thrust were into it A man through the mali● Satan may have many strange● blasphemous thoughts runni● his mind yea sometime brea● forth even in tongue against 〈◊〉 against Christ against the Wo● God against this or that Arti●● Religion yet so long as ma●● with any patience endure to 〈◊〉 the contrary professed and 〈◊〉 the contrary practised and i● thereby provoked and stirred 〈◊〉 more to that Sin and to the 〈◊〉 of those persons that profe● practise the contrary so long i● farre from this Sinne. For th● a Sinne that breaketh forth by contrary profession and pra● They therefore that are so far 〈◊〉 being stirred up by the co●● practise and profession of o●● ●●at they love the contrary practise ●nd profession in others are very far ●●om this Sinne. The seventh Conclusion This Sinne is a Sinne that will ●●dure no reasoning no disputing ●o conference no contradiction no ●erswasion no authority and by ●onsequent no remedy They therefore that hold and ●aintaine though affectedly any ●●asphemous Errours and yet can ●●tiently endure contradiction and ●position or disputation and con●●ence yea that delight therein ●nd affect it and take it in good ●rt especially if thereby they bee ●●itigated and allaied are farre also ●●om this Sinne. The eighth Conclusion This Sinne is a Sinne committed 〈◊〉 knowledge in advisement in de●eration in judgement and not ●ly in violence of rage passion Men commit it not in their b● bloud incensed by some person disgrace nor in any distracted f●● or temporary madnesse but they 〈◊〉 it advisedly deliberately witting● freely Thus was it here with the● There was nothing at all in 〈◊〉 voice of the multitude that mi●● provoke them to wrath If the p●●ple had taken occasion hereby cry out upon the Scribes and Ph●sees that gave Christ no better e●tertainment if they had deno●ced curses and woes against the● Christ himselfe sometime did 〈◊〉 by this means had first inra● them and they then in their 〈◊〉 and fury against them had bro●● out into these blasphemies aga●● Christ it had changed the nature their Sinne. For a man in his f●● and rage provoked by another 〈◊〉 sometime speake very spight●● words against them whom he bereth no malice unto in his he●● especially in his cold bloud So th● this was no sudden rash hea● unadvised distempered Sinne ●ut a deliberate staied setled firme ●inne The ninth Conclusion This Sinne against the Holy Ghost is not a secondary malice ●●sing orginally from the hatred of some other but it is a direct and immediate malice against Christ and the Gospell They did not thus spightfully speake against Christ ●ecause they maliced these people ●hat began to love Christ but because they maliced Christ therefore they spake thus malitiously of him 〈◊〉 the people whom they had no ●ause to malice but for Christs sake This is not therefore a refracted or a reflected malice For what was there in these Iewes or in their speech that should make them in this manner to breake forth into blasphemy The tenth Conclusion Every Blasphemy is said in the word to be a kinde of piercing o● God