Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	light_n	lord_n	spirit_n	4,543	5	5.0389	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77987	Habakkuks prayer applyed to the churches present occasions, on Hab. 3. 2. And Christs counsel to the church of Philadelphia, on Rev. 3. 11. / Preached before the provincial assembly of London. By that late reverend and faithful minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Samuel Balmford, pastor of Albons Woodstreet.	Balmford, Samuel, d. 1659?	1659 (1659)	Wing B608; Thomason E1910_2; ESTC R209972	36,857	123

die_v out_o of_o the_o snuff_n so_o be_v it_o in_o spiritual_a case_n unless_o we_o be_v somewhat_o fervent_a for_o truth_n and_o holiness_n for_o church-ordinance_n and_o discipline_n we_o shall_v quick_o leave_v act_v for_o they_o and_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n of_o they_o therefore_o be_v fervent_a in_o spirit_n and_o to_o direct_v our_o aim_n and_o intention_n in_o it_o know_v last_o according_a to_o that_o scripture_n that_o we_o must_v look_v at_o the_o lord_n service_n as_o serve_v the_o lord_n we_o must_v be_v fervent_a in_o spirit_n and_o not_o slothful_a in_o business_n the_o apostle_n bid_v ordinary_a servant_n do_v their_o master_n service_n not_o as_o look_v to_o they_o only_o but_o to_o the_o lord_n ephes_n 6._o 7._o col._n 3._o 23._o how_o much_o more_o than_o shall_v they_o approve_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o fervency_n of_o spirit_n who_o service_n and_o business_n be_v about_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n and_o his_o house_n these_o consideration_n sure_o may_v be_v helpful_a to_o church-officer_n and_o member_n to_o hold_v fast_o what_o they_o have_v 5._o if_o we_o be_v resolve_v for_o constancy_n in_o hold_v fast_o what_o good_a we_o have_v then_o let_v we_o show_v ourselves_o lover_n and_o observer_n of_o all_o good_a order_n enemy_n to_o order_n be_v enemy_n to_o constancy_n both_o together_o avail_v much_o for_o great_a issue_n and_o achievement_n but_o pervert_v or_o disturb_v the_o former_a and_o you_o subvert_v or_o break_v the_o latter_a crier_n down_o of_o all_o form_n be_v monstra_fw-la informia_fw-la unshape_a monster_n as_o opposite_a to_o god_n in_o their_o endeavour_n as_o may_v be_v for_o whereas_o god_n bring_v a_o bountiful_a creation_n out_o of_o a_o chaos_n they_o will_v reduce_v all_o into_o a_o chaos_n again_o may_v they_o have_v their_o will_n or_o wish_n for_o aught_o appear_v by_o their_o word_n plain_o therefore_o will_v we_o retain_v either_o soundness_n of_o doctrine_n or_o holiness_n of_o life_n we_o must_v pray_v and_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v good_a order_n in_o all_o church-administrations_a mark_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o colos_n 2._o 5._o rejoice_v say_v he_o and_o behold_v your_o order_n and_o the_o steadfastness_n of_o your_o faith_n in_o christ_n he_o join_v order_n with_o steadfastness_n and_o put_v order_n though_o the_o less_o before_o steadfastness_n of_o faith_n though_o the_o great_a because_o order_n conduce_v much_o unto_o steadfastness_n and_o wherefore_o be_v there_o so_o much_o unstedfastnesse_n this_o day_n among_o our_o people_n even_o about_o the_o most_o important_a point_n of_o faith_n but_o because_o they_o be_v all_o out_o of_o order_n no_o rule_n hold_v over_o they_o their_o trace_n cut_v the_o rain_v cast_v upon_o their_o neck_n and_o the_o communality_n of_o they_o unskilful_a to_o rule_v themselves_o i_o speak_v in_o reference_n to_o spiritual_n they_o wander_v from_o one_o church_n unto_o another_o now_o they_o be_v in_o one_o conventicle_n or_o assembly_n and_o then_o in_o another_o in_o one_o place_n they_o meet_v with_o some_o good_a principle_n it_o may_v be_v but_o in_o another_o with_o bad_a and_o gather_v matter_n of_o corruption_n of_o mind_n and_o practise_v one_o piece_n after_o another_o and_o how_o then_o shall_v they_o hold_v fast_o what_o good_a they_o have_v how_o much_o then_o do_v it_o concern_v we_o all_o in_o our_o several_a place_n to_o keep_v order_n and_o rule_n of_o government_n and_o will_v to_o god_n our_o ruler_n at_o length_n will_v powerful_o help_v we_o all_o to_o keep_v such_o as_o may_v be_v sound_a undoubted_o approvable_a 6_o exercise_n patience_n as_o this_o church_n do_v for_o 10._o keep_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n patience_n not_o only_o the_o rule_n prescribe_v patience_n but_o patience_n itself_o prescribe_v by_o that_o rule_n for_o patience_n be_v necessary_a unto_o perseverance_n in_o a_o good_a profession_n in_o a_o good_a practice_n whether_o public_o or_o private_o the_o impatient_a person_n do_v not_o possess_v his_o own_o soul_n see_v luk._n 21._o 19_o he_o have_v not_o a_o hold_n fast_o of_o himself_o and_o therefore_o what_o else_o can_v he_o hold_v fast_o if_o we_o will_v like_v good_a plant_n retain_v our_o moisture_n our_o sustenance_n and_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n to_o perfection_n it_o must_v be_v with_o patience_n luke_n 8._o 15._o if_o we_o will_v do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n according_a to_o our_o place_n thorough_o and_o constant_o so_o as_o to_o receive_v the_o promise_n we_o have_v need_n of_o patience_n hebr._n 10._o 36._o wherefore_o do_v so_o many_o depart_n from_o god_n and_o turn_v from_o his_o truth_n and_o will_v and_o way_n but_o because_o they_o be_v impatient_a and_o will_v not_o wait_v god_n leisure_n till_o he_o vindicate_v his_o own_o cause_n or_o mean_n effectual_o for_o the_o clear_n up_o of_o controversy_n and_o reform_v of_o thing_n amiss_o and_o so_o fall_v a_o mourning_n that_o thing_n be_v carry_v cross_a unto_o their_o former_a principle_n and_o persuasion_n they_o fling_v out_o and_o be_v carry_v heady_o any_o way_n that_o may_v give_v they_o most_o present_a contentment_n whatever_o it_o may_v do_v afterward_o but_o not_o to_o tire_v your_o patience_n too_o long_o 7._o approve_v we_o ourselves_o right_a philadelphian_o that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o etymon_n of_o the_o word_n brotherly_a lover_n and_o lover_n of_o the_o brethren_n see_v 1_o thes_n 4._o 9_o but_o as_o touch_v brotherly_a love_n you_o need_v not_o that_o i_o write_v unto_o you_o for_o you_o yourselves_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n to_o love_v one_o another_o heb._n 13._o 1._o let_v brotherly_a love_n continue_v without_o this_o we_o can_v keep_v long_o in_o any_o good_a order_n nor_o keep_v in_o patience_n long_o etc._n etc._n nor_o which_o be_v the_o main_a keep_v long_o in_o the_o possession_n and_o practice_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n mark_v that_o context_n ephes_n 12_o 3._o forbear_v one_o another_o in_o love_n endeavour_v to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n if_o we_o break_v in_o point_n of_o love_n we_o quick_o break_v the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o love_n be_v break_v we_o can_v long_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n what_o be_v that_o unity_n in_o the_o disposition_n of_o our_o spirit_n in_o judgement_n and_o affection_n but_o there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o that_o viz._n 2._o unity_n of_o our_o spirit_n in_o assent_n and_o adherence_n to_o god_n spirit_n his_o doctrine_n his_o principle_n his_o ordinance_n that_o so_o our_o unity_n may_v be_v evidence_v to_o be_v 3._o unitiy_n wrought_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n knit_v we_o together_o as_o member_n of_o one_o mystical_a body_n after_o a_o spiritual_a and_o mystical_a manner_n to_o the_o keep_n of_o this_o i_o say_v brotherly_a love_n be_v requisite_a no_o marvel_n therefore_o if_o we_o hold_v not_o fast_o what_o we_o have_v i_o speak_v of_o the_o common_a hold_n fast_o since_o there_o be_v such_o want_n of_o brotherly_a love_n among_o we_o since_o our_o people_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o many_o division_n and_o breach_n a_o condition_n with_o tear_n of_o blood_n to_o be_v lament_v and_o o_o that_o all_o sardenses_n and_o laodicean_n about_o we_o will_v transire_fw-la in_o castra_fw-la or_o rather_o in_o tentoria_fw-la philadelphensium_fw-la then_o may_v we_o see_v happy_a time_n and_o god_n can_v bring_v they_o on_o when_o he_o please_v mean_a while_n let_v we_o belove_v show_v ourselves_o right_a philadelphian_o of_o a_o humble_a meek_a love_a gentle_a yet_o a_o courageous_a and_o tenacious_a spirit_n to_o hold_v fast_o true_a doctrine_n and_o discipline_n holiness_n of_o life_n and_o conversation_n our_o love_n one_o towards_o another_o will_v strengthen_v the_o heart_n and_o hand_n one_o of_o another_o and_o the_o fail_n of_o it_o as_o much_o weaken_v we_o etc._n etc._n let_v angel_n and_o officer_n of_o church_n think_v of_o this_o in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o be_v to_o be_v light_n and_o guide_n to_o other_o in_o the_o way_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n but_o then_o all_o the_o member_n of_o our_o church_n in_o their_o several_a place_n and_o to_o close_o all_o let_v we_o show_v ourselves_o philadelphians_n in_o our_o sympathetical_a affection_n in_o love_n towards_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n and_o of_o neighbour_a nation_n because_o we_o all_o profess_v to_o hold_v the_o same_o good_a thing_n of_o god_n both_o for_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n for_o the_o main_a substance_n of_o it_o more_o special_o sympathize_v with_o they_o who_o be_v now_o in_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n to_o try_v they_o pray_o that_o though_o they_o can_v not_o hold_v fast_o what_o they_o have_v in_o house_n land_n and_o other_o outward_a possession_n nor_o minister_n nor_o church_n nor_o their_o near_a relation_n many_o of_o they_o yet_o they_o may_v hold_v fast_o true_a faith_n and_o good_a conscience_n to_o the_o end_n as_o many_o of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v massacre_v already_o do_v to_o the_o end_n as_o divers_a of_o their_o ancestor_n also_o do_v see_v many_o forego_v generation_n and_o contribute_v also_o towards_o they_o in_o love_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o their_o necessity_n as_o we_o shall_v be_v short_o call_v upon_o to_o do_v in_o our_o respective_a place_n now_o who_o so_o in_o the_o use_n of_o such_o mean_n shall_v hold_v fast_o that_o which_o he_o have_v of_o truth_n and_o grace_n and_o persevere_v overcome_v christ_n promise_v he_o in_o the_o verse_n follow_v that_o he_o will_v make_v he_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o his_o god_n and_o he_o shall_v go_v no_o more_o out_o a_o verse_n very_o well_o worthy_a our_o attendance_n unto_o a_o further_a explanation_n of_o it_o but_o the_o time_n now_o cut_v i_o off_o etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la

call_v upon_o we_o to_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o hope_n without_o waver_v without_o decline_v or_o totter_v any_o way_n therefore_o in_o a_o fix_a and_o firm_o settle_a manner_n heb._n 10._o 23._o 2._o vigorous_a put_v forth_o of_o strength_n in_o the_o way_n of_o contestation_n with_o other_o for_o the_o maintenance_n and_o defence_n of_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o holy_a government_n and_o practice_n so_o far_o as_o be_v warrantable_a in_o a_o regular_a way_n we_o be_v to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n judas_n 3._o and_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v we_o free_a that_o we_o be_v not_o entangle_v again_o with_o the_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n gal._n 5._o 1._o quest_n but_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o such_o strong_a act_n to_o hold_v fast_o truth_n and_o holiness_n answ_n there_o be_v need_n of_o some_o strength_n in_o a_o double_a respect_n 1._o to_o hold_v up_o against_o inward_a faint_n and_o languish_n we_o know_v that_o every_o thing_n be_v ready_a to_o fall_v and_o drop_v out_o of_o our_o hand_n when_o our_o natural_a spirit_n fail_v within_o we_o and_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o take_v cordial_n sometime_o to_o strengthen_v our_o stomach_n to_o retain_v what_o be_v take_v down_o which_o otherwise_o either_o through_o nauseousness_n or_o other_o weakness_n will_v be_v quick_o cast_v up_o again_o so_o it_o be_v too_o often_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o fail_n of_o gracious_a spirit_n in_o christian_n through_o spiritual_a faint_n they_o be_v too_o ready_a to_o let_v fall_v divers_a truth_n of_o god_n and_o to_o stick_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o they_o and_o to_o let_v fall_v practical_a exercise_n of_o holiness_n and_o 〈◊〉_d let_v dissolve_v away_o the_o regular_a assembling_n of_o themselves_o together_o and_o all_o this_o either_o through_o a_o nauseat_a weariness_n of_o such_o thing_n by_o the_o great_a gather_v of_o ill_a humour_n or_o through_o some_o causeless_a fearful_a pusillanimous_a apprehension_n and_o therefore_o say_v christ_n to_o the_o church_n at_o sardis_n ver_fw-la 2._o strengthen_v the_o thing_n that_o remain_v which_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v the_o remain_a good_a thing_n in_o a_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v sometime_o through_o the_o weakness_n of_o inward_a principle_n ready_a to_o languish_v and_o die_v away_o and_o therefore_o need_v be_v strengthen_v again_o there_o be_v need_n of_o strength_n 2_o to_o retain_v against_o external_a violence_n or_o forcible_a attempt_n of_o other_o to_o wring_v from_o christ_n what_o they_o hold_v of_o good_a or_o to_o make_v they_o fling_v it_o away_o or_o shake_v it_o off_o from_o they_o robore_fw-la hic_fw-la opus_fw-la esse_fw-la judicat_fw-la quia_fw-la plurima_fw-la sunt_fw-la quae_fw-la fidelibus_fw-la haec_fw-la dona_fw-la excutere_fw-la possunt_fw-la nisi_fw-la tenere_fw-la omnibus_fw-la modis_fw-la contendant_fw-la say_v pareus_n in_o locum_fw-la we_o may_v be_v encourage_v by_o many_o example_n of_o martyr_n yea_o some_o heathen_a may_v be_v allude_v to_o as_o that_o of_o attilius_n the_o roman_a who_o fight_v for_o a_o ship_n at_o sea_n hold_v fast_o on_o she_o with_o one_o hand_n after_o another_o till_o both_o be_v cut_v off_o valer._n max._n another_o who_o hand_n be_v off_o hold_v fast_o with_o his_o tooth_n so_o christian_n shall_v mordicus_fw-la tenere_fw-la but_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o of_o this_o point_n by_o and_o by_o under_o one_o of_o the_o motive_n in_o the_o context_n quest_n but_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v again_o what_o need_v the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v charge_v with_o care_n of_o duty_n of_o this_o nature_n since_o there_o be_v such_o precious_a promise_n make_v unto_o they_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v keep_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o and_o his_o grace_n in_o they_o so_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o depart_v or_o fall_v away_o from_o he_o nor_o ever_o be_v pluck_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n but_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n through_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n see_v jer._n 32._o 40._o joh._n 10._o 28_o 29._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 5._o they_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n shall_v retain_v that_o which_o shall_v bring_v they_o or_o suffice_v to_o accompany_v they_o to_o everlasting_a glory_n and_o happiness_n and_o why_o then_o need_v they_o be_v solicitous_a about_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o they_o have_v answ_n we_o have_v to_o answer_v divers_a thing_n first_o for_o particular_a person_n even_o such_o as_o be_v elect_v and_o call_v and_o persuade_v too_o of_o their_o interest_n in_o such_o precious_a promise_n they_o notwithstanding_o these_o promise_n be_v oblige_v by_o command_n from_o god_n to_o look_v to_o their_o own_o self-spiritual_a preservation_n and_o that_o in_o a_o subserviency_n to_o god_n providence_n for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o promise_n it_o be_v not_o say_v unground_o by_o that_o ancient_n so_o it_o be_v right_o understand_v qui_fw-la creavit_fw-la te_fw-la sine_fw-la te_fw-la non_fw-la servabit_fw-la te_fw-la sine_fw-la te_fw-la etc._n etc._n god_n have_v order_v most_o wise_o and_o just_o that_o the_o first_o spark_n of_o grace_n which_o he_o give_v to_o his_o beloved_a one_o shall_v be_v employ_v and_o improve_v instrumental_o under_o his_o own_o supreme_a agency_n for_o both_o their_o preservation_n and_o advance_v of_o their_o happy_a condition_n therefore_o mark_v it_o the_o fear_n which_o he_o put_v into_o their_o heart_n that_o be_v that_o holy_a circumspect_a fear_n not_o secure_a presumption_n be_v make_v a_o preservative_n for_o their_o not_o depart_v away_o from_o he_o in_o that_o jer._n 32._o 40._o and_o though_o he_o keep_v they_o by_o his_o own_o power_n yet_o it_o it_o be_v through_o the_o continue_a act_v and_o exercise_v of_o their_o faith_n that_o he_o keep_v they_o unto_o salvation_n in_o that_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 5._o second_o for_o particular_a church_n gather_v in_o visible_a communion_n and_o frame_n of_o government_n there_o be_v no_o promise_n make_v unto_o any_o of_o they_o for_o aught_o i_o have_v hear_v and_o remember_v nor_o ever_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v perpetual_o preserve_v either_o without_o decay_n or_o without_o dissolution_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n why_o church-member_n shall_v be_v remiss_a and_o negligent_a in_o hold_v fast_o those_o church-ordinance_n liberty_n and_o privilege_n which_o they_o enjoy_v at_o present_a if_o they_o regard_v the_o good_a of_o that_o collective_a body_n whereof_o they_o be_v because_o they_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o promise_n to_o pretend_v for_o security_n against_o a_o sudden_a change_n and_o alteration_n yea_o three_o suppose_v a_o promise_n make_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n for_o its_o preservation_n for_o a_o time_n yet_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o have_v that_o church_n slacken_v her_o care_n and_o endeavour_v of_o preserve_v herself_o no_o not_o during_o that_o season_n my_o proof_n by_o way_n of_o instance_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n christ_n make_v a_o promise_n to_o this_o church_n at_o philadelphia_n in_o the_o verse_n before_o my_o text_n that_o he_o will_v keep_v she_o from_o the_o hour_n of_o temptation_n that_o shall_v come_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n to_o try_v they_o that_o do_v dwell_v upon_o the_o earth_n and_o yet_o present_o he_o forewarn_v she_o to_o hold_v that_o fast_o which_o she_o have_v this_o be_v very_o observable_a she_o may_v not_o expostulate_v lord_n since_o thou_o will_v keep_v i_o what_o need_v i_o take_v any_o care_n of_o keep_v myself_o no_o churches_n as_o church_n must_v learn_v to_o serve_v under_o god_n promise_n and_o providence_n for_o their_o own_o good_a as_o well_o as_o particular_a christian_n and_o god_n know_v purpose_v indulgence_n shall_v not_o occasion_v his_o servant_n negligence_n how_o much_o more_o cause_n than_o have_v those_o church_n to_o take_v this_o warning_n which_o have_v no_o such_o special_a promise_n make_v unto_o they_o as_o none_o of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o christ_n for_o aught_o i_o know_v have_v at_o this_o day_n these_o thing_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n clear_v i_o shall_v pesent_v you_o with_o what_o i_o have_v further_o to_o say_v in_o the_o way_n of_o usual_a improvement_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v use_v 1_o first_o i_o beseech_v you_o to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o point_n by_o ●●y_n of_o caution_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o object_n we_o have_v hear_v what_o it_o be_v which_o the_o servant_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n respective_o be_v to_o hold_v fast_o now_o because_o there_o be_v a_o tenacity_n a_o disposition_n to_o hold_v fast_o something_o or_o other_o in_o every_o one_o and_o yet_o every_o thing_n which_o one_o have_v be_v not_o worth_a hold_v fast_o therefore_o let_v we_o try_v what_o it_o be_v only_o that_o we_o have_v be_v sure_a to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o

it_o in_o this_o sense_n infringe_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o perseverance_n and_o salvation_n of_o the_o saint_n answ_n no_o it_o do_v not_o for_o in_o the_o community_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n there_o be_v a_o mixture_n of_o hypocrite_n with_o sincere_a professor_n now_o hypocrite_n may_v lose_v the_o crown_n of_o glory_n because_o they_o never_o have_v real_o either_o true_a faith_n or_o holiness_n but_o only_o seem_v to_o have_v they_o and_o therefore_o though_o they_o lose_v that_o crown_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o to_o run_v and_o strive_v and_o labour_v for_o yet_o be_v not_o the_o tenure_n of_o divine_a election_n in_o the_o least_o weaken_a by_o their_o fail_n because_o though_o they_o be_v call_v external_o yet_o not_o elect_v and_o never_o have_v the_o faith_n or_o grace_n of_o the_o elect._n and_o for_o sincere_a christian_n who_o only_o be_v elect_v though_o they_o shall_v not_o lose_v the_o crown_n prepare_v and_o reserve_v for_o they_o yet_o they_o have_v need_n of_o such_o caveat_n as_o this_o partly_o to_o mind_v they_o though_o they_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n yet_o in_o themselves_o there_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o defection_n and_o apostasy_n and_o be_v they_o leave_v unto_o themselves_o they_o shall_v let_v go_v all_o grace_n and_o lose_v all_o glory_n and_o therefore_o need_v be_v the_o more_o wary_a partly_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o looseness_n and_o defection_n for_o exhortation_n and_o admonition_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o set_v on_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v instrumental_a in_o god_n hand_n to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o duty_n and_o hold_v they_o in_o perseverance_n the_o premise_n consider_v o_o beloved_n how_o shall_v we_o be_v strengthen_v in_o our_o resolution_n and_o actuate_v in_o our_o strong_a endeavour_n to_o stand_v fast_o and_o hold_v fast_o that_o truth_n that_o grace_n and_o all_o those_o spiritual_a liberty_n and_o privilege_n bestow_v upon_o we_o use_v 3_o use_v 3_o a_o three_o use_v of_o this_o point_n may_v be_v to_o give_v and_o take_v some_o direction_n for_o the_o more_o effectual_a practice_n of_o this_o rule_n since_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n both_o of_o so_o much_o difficulty_n and_o of_o so_o great_a consequence_n to_o observe_v it_o in_o the_o way_n of_o hopeful_a mean_n therefore_o be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o these_o few_o particular_n 1._o will_v we_o hold_v fast_o what_o good_a we_o have_v personal_o and_o ecclesiastical_o then_o take_v a_o humble_a recognition_n of_o our_o own_o weakness_n respective_o it_o be_v say_v of_o this_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n a_o little_a before_o at_o ver_fw-la 8._o that_o she_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o little_a strength_n and_o indeed_o this_o duty_n of_o holdfast_n be_v direct_v neither_o to_o liveless_a person_n nor_o mere_a impotent_a person_n in_o spiritual_a respect_n but_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a strength_n so_o it_o be_v with_o she_o that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o sister_n we_o be_v then_o to_o be_v humble_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o smallness_n of_o our_o own_o strength_n even_o when_o we_o be_v at_o the_o best_a and_o then_o beside_o we_o may_v reflect_v back_o and_o consider_v whether_o in_o some_o particular_n we_o have_v not_o slip_v back_o with_o ephesus_n and_o fall_v from_o our_o first_o love_n and_o whether_o we_o be_v not_o in_o some_o particular_n in_o a_o languish_a condition_n as_o sardis_n and_o so_o need_v to_o strengthen_v the_o thing_n which_o remain_v that_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v but_o i_o say_v we_o be_v to_o be_v humble_o sensible_a of_o our_o little_a strength_n at_o the_o best_a and_o that_o will_v dispose_v we_o to_o more_o care_n to_o hold_v fast_o what_o we_o have_v etc._n etc._n 2._o take_v we_o and_o keep_v we_o fast_o hold_v on_o god_n by_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o frequent_a exercise_n of_o prayer_n imitate_v jacob_n in_v not_o let_v of_o he_o go_v he_o look_v that_o his_o people_n shall_v do_v so_o even_o to_o take_v hold_n of_o he_o and_o his_o strength_n in_o a_o good_a sense_n isa_n 27._o 5._o not_o in_o a_o way_n of_o presumptuous_a contest_v with_o he_o but_o for_o our_o own_o support_n by_o he_o stir_v up_o ourselves_o to_o lay_v hold_n on_o he_o isa_n 64_o 7._o for_o why_o qui_fw-la habet_fw-la habentem_fw-la omne_fw-la habet_fw-la omne_fw-la so_o qui_fw-la retinet_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o his_o own_o might_n shall_v no_o man_n no_o church_n be_v strong_a but_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n strengthen_v we_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v always_o to_o walk_v and_o act_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o lord_n psal_n 71._o 16._o maintain_v sound_a doctrine_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o lord_n keep_v the_o way_n of_o holiness_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o lord_n perform_v all_o church-duty_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n 3._o let_v it_o be_v our_o holy_a covetous_a aim_n to_o be_v get_v more_o of_o that_o good_a which_o we_o be_v to_o hold_v fast_o man_n of_o the_o world_n be_v ready_a to_o think_v that_o in_o external_a thing_n if_o they_o be_v not_o on_o the_o increase_a hand_n they_o be_v on_o the_o diminish_n and_o what_o shall_v we_o think_v of_o our_o condition_n in_o spiritual_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o evangelical_n parable_n of_o the_o servant_n that_o have_v talent_n or_o pound_n commit_v to_o their_o usance_n we_o may_v find_v the_o evil_a servant_n there_o keep_v his_o talon_n and_o wrap_v it_o up_o in_o a_o napkin_n and_o do_v he_o not_o then_o hold_v it_o fast_o but_o that_o prove_v neither_o please_v to_o his_o master_n nor_o comfortable_a to_o himself_o because_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v employ_v and_o improve_n it_o which_o because_o he_o be_v not_o therefore_o he_o be_v say_v not_o to_o have_v and_o sentence_v to_o have_v that_o take_v from_o he_o which_o he_o only_o seem_v to_o have_v for_o without_o some_o improvement_n a_o stock_n can_v long_o be_v keep_v entire_a together_o wherefore_o in_o spiritual_a thing_n belove_v if_o we_o will_v with_o philadelphia_n hold_v fast_o what_o we_o have_v we_o must_v affect_v the_o commendation_n of_o thyatira_n chap._n 2._o 19_o to_o have_v our_o last_o work_n more_o than_o our_o first_o to_o advance_v in_o solid_a knowledge_n in_o true_a and_o sincere_a holiness_n and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v our_o after_o church-ministery_n church-assembly_n church-administrations_a better_a than_o our_o former_a this_o i_o say_v must_v still_o be_v our_o aim_n or_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v be_v soon_o cast_v backward_o when_o man_n be_v in_o a_o broad_a wheel_n either_o to_o crane_n up_o thing_n from_o the_o earth_n or_o to_o draw_v up_o basket_n out_o of_o the_o water_n they_o be_v still_o stepe_v forward_o or_o else_o they_o can_v not_o stay_v in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o circumstance_n of_o posture_n where_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v also_o with_o bird_n in_o a_o turn_a bellcage_n and_o so_o when_o christian_n or_o church-member_n be_v set_v into_o such_o a_o frame_n as_o the_o wheel_n of_o occurrent_n be_v still_o turn_v upon_o they_o either_o they_o must_v be_v still_o step_v forward_o or_o else_o they_o can_v keep_v the_o same_o sight_n of_o their_o station_n but_o be_v drive_v backward_o and_o overturn_v 4._o we_o must_v be_v industrious_a and_o zealous_a in_o all_o the_o affair_n which_o make_v for_o the_o preservation_n and_o improvement_n of_o what_o we_o have_v i_o commend_v that_o cluster_n of_o apostolical_a precept_n unto_o you_o in_o rom._n 12._o 11._o be_v not_o slothful_a in_o business_n but_o fervent_a in_o spirit_n serve_v the_o lord_n and_o these_o be_v connex_v and_o subordinate_a one_o to_o the_o other_o first_o not_o slothful_a i._n e._n neither_o altogether_o idle_a nor_o remiss_a or_o careless_a how_o we_o do_v what_o we_o pretend_v to_o be_v do_v how_o slow_o how_o seldom_o how_o slight_o for_o he_o that_o be_v slothful_a in_o his_o work_n be_v brother_n to_o he_o that_o be_v a_o great_a waster_n prov._n 18._o 9_o so_o far_o will_v he_o prove_v from_o a_o holder_n fast_o of_o what_o he_o have_v for_o the_o slothful_a get_v nothing_o as_o the_o waster_n spend_v all_o and_o so_o in_o their_o emptiness_n and_o needinesse_n they_o come_v to_o shake_v hand_n together_o again_o if_o we_o will_v not_o be_v slothful_a we_o must_v be_v fervent_a in_o spirit_n for_o sloathfulnesse_n be_v from_o coldness_n of_o temper_n corporal_o or_o spiritual_o and_o activity_n be_v from_o heat_n and_o fervency_n so_o that_o unless_o one_o be_v somewhat_o zealous_a he_o can_v be_v constant_o laborious_a as_o the_o light_n be_v go_v in_o a_o manner_n when_o the_o flame_n of_o a_o candle_n be_v extinguish_v and_o the_o fire_n will_v quick_o