Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	lord_n	speak_v	word_n	9,216	5	4.2886	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89759	A pathway unto England's perfect settlement; and its centre and foundation of rest and peace, discovered by Capt. Robert Norwood. In this discourse you have cleared and proved, I. What government in its true and proper nature is; and the common errour thereof rectified. ... VI. That the laws, ordinances, &c. of our forefathers, are the onely rulers and governours of the English nation; ... VII. That neither parliaments, or any other, have any right, power, or authority to change, alter, suppress, or suspend the same; ... And in the conclusion, the nature of contracts, and the governments thereupon, made manifest and cleared.	Norwood, Robert, Captain.	1653 (1653)	Wing N1383; Thomason E702_16; ESTC R203007	38,577	71

persons at some particular times and seasons for which judgement hangs somewhere whenas in truth they should be kept and maintained perfectly upright ever and always the same alike to all neither looking backward nor forward this way or that way but one pure simple act in it self ever and always or in all times and altogether unchangably the same otherwise can none whomsoever possibly be safe and secure in them or by them And if any suffer loss detriment and dammage that is not properly in and by the Law for that is good that is light life safety and protection but herein we suffer in forsaking leaving or departing therefrom and so going forth and betaking our selves unto and falling into the evil the darkness and the death manifested and declared therein or thereby are ruined and destroyed therewith I hope hitherto our seeking and inquiry hath not been fruitless or in vain but we have at least found and discovered thus much what the very true real and proper ground basis and foundation is on which we may firmly stand with both feet or the center in which we may all safely and securely meet and from thence the way in which we may securely walk and again make our returns wherefore let us again say with good old Iacob Hitherto hath the Lord holpen us And having made discovery of our ground basis and foundation again which hath long lyen hid obscure and buryed and where and what our center is we will surely and stedfastly there stand And will no more either by Kings Priests or Prophets nor by God himself be either courted perswaded disputed or commanded from it or out of it any more For it is our Fathers And not the unlimited passions lusts and affections of any whatsoever good or bad that we are left or bequeathed unto nor yet the uncertain or unknown Cabinets of any man or mens breasts whatsoever no nor of God himself for they are his and his onely secret things are but revealed things as we have it before they and they onely belong unto us and to our children and our childrens children for ever after us I shall onely say this farther that were I enemy to any man or men in England or in the whole world and would design or endeavour plot or contrive their ruine and overthrow I would desire and strongly endeavour he should break his limit and would by all the means I could tempt stir up and entice him thereunto and endeavour with as much industry as I could to blow up that coal which lies in every man though in some and at some times more hid and obscure and to lay all those taking materials unto it which might excite stir up and increase that desire of unlimitedness more and more and this was the devil or Satans way with Adam in the beginning But verily I love that most excellent and glorious piece MAN because I in some measure know what he is as before I have shown you My love is to all mankinde And I would from my soul with the loss of my own that they might be all saved but Oh that we might be saved altogether such a day I hope and believe is at hand I love this Nation and have it in my heart continually the Lord is my witness I lye not and therefore would that it even it it is but a little one Oh yet that it might be saved from the great consumption and destruction that God is bringing upon the whole earth I will yet bow and bow and bow my soul again again and again unto the Lord for this thing yea although he have said that he will destroy it I will yet with Iacob wrestle who knows but that I may prevail Yet let me speak the truth as the truth is and I know what I speak there is but a little but a very very little matter between us and death at this time wherefore let I beseech you the words of him who loves you and would gladly dye for you be seriously considered Ala● what is this Government or that Government this Governour or that Governour unto me for I can say and say truly Nor care I and less fear I any Governour or Government whatsoever that may or can come into the world I have now set you I hope upon your certain and just ground basis and foundation brought you to your proper and true center where I will leave you yet am there still with you though at present must take leave of you But again I see occasion for somewhat more That then which is farther to be done in this matter I commit and leave to those to whom it doth more properly belong as the cleering and bearing the foundation taking away and casting aside the rubbish dirt and filth I will not say built but rather thrown or cast upon it the opening and cleering the chanels pipes and conveyances and so removing that which lets and stops the waters from running their right and true course in their right and true Chanels as of old time the taking down those walls and hedges made and built upon and against our anciently-known and common high-ways the removing and taking away those new Land-marks boundless bounds and limitless limits unknown unto our forefathers and so evening and levelling the way to our center and foundation and so to that great day of good things that great day of glory peace and rest which I trust the Lord will do by you even by your hands and that not onely in this Land but in many Lands Nations and Kingdoms I speak herein unto the English Army chiefly whose most proper work this will perhaps be found to be and let not your hearts faint herein nor your hands grow weary in reference to the greatness of the work that lies before you nor of any thing by any spoken against you neither be you lifted up I pray you in or by any thing above your selves or brethren by ought that is but either seemingly or else indeed and in truth with you let not the vain and empty words of vain and empty men have any power with you or upon you You know what you have done and how the Lord hath been with you and blessed you in your work onely I beg pray and beseech you do your own work and your own wo●k onely and do it uprightly and therein undoubtedly as the Lord lives you will be blessed you will prosper and be happy Neither I pray you let your pursuits herein be too swift or hasty but as the old English proverb is Look before you leap and another old English proverb that hasty men never want woe Old things are good things lest you be put to retreat again which will be some blemish or dishonour to us but endeavour as much as may be to see your way and work before you both what is to be done and how it is to be done the way ●ecures the end it s Solomons words as I take

A PATHWAY UNTO ENGLAND'S Perfect Settlement AND Its CENTRE and FOUNDATION OF Rest and Peace Discovered By Capt. ROBERT NORWOOD In this Discourse you have cleared and proved I. What Government in its true and proper nature is and the common errour thereof rectified II. What the proper Ruler or Governour unto all things is or where the proper seat thereof lies And that grand aberration in attributing Government to the Head reduced and proved the cause of all mis-governments III. That all Governours and Governments whatsoever are and of necessity must be circumscribed bound and limited IV. That in the beginning no man had Rule given him over another nor hath he by the Laws Ordinances c. of this Nation And by the way the excellencie and dignity of man discovered V. That Fathers as Fathers have inherently in them both from God and Nature the rule and government of their Children as their Children VI. That the Laws Ordinances c. of our Forefathers are the onely Rulers and Governours of the English Nation and so that general mistake of giving Government unto any whomsoever over any the people thereof detected VII That neither Parliaments or any other have any right power or authority to change alter suppress or suspend the same and so the onely certain and sure foundation upon which the people of this Nation can stand with both feet firm and stable that just and true centre in which onely they may all again securely meet unite and be united And in the conclusion the nature of Contracts and the Governments thereupon made manifest and cleared London Printed for Rich. Moone at the Seven Stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North door 1653. In Paules Church Yard Att The Richard To his Excellence The Lord General Cromwel SIR MAN who is made in the image and likeness of God brings forth the things that are good good in themselves and good in their season This ensuing Discourse is not tendered for protection for that which is Truth will protect it self I shall not plead for it let it plead for it self It offers no new thing to the world but brings forth and makes manifest what was of old even in the beginning They are vain empty trifling times I will endeavour to be so much the more stable serious and sober I call it Englands centre and foundation of rest and peace and it is so Will your Lordship finde it so let it then I beseech you be made so the blessing of it be upon you your children for ever I beg your Excellencies excuse of my boldness and plainness herein and your most serious consideration hereof I am a constant and unfeigned lover of a truely-upright and faithful servant to this English Nation and therein My Lord Your Excellencies in all meekness and readiness of minde to be commanded ROB. NORWOOD ENGLAND'S Return c. MEeting lately with several Printed Papers treating of Government and considering the various products differences and distractions of these our times I was not a little pressed in my spirit to speak or give forth my minde to publike view wherein I have greatly laboured under strong hope in the most ardent inmost desire of my most inmost soul for the full reconciling and uniting of all in one entire and perfect bond of peace and rest therefore hope I shall offend none but fo from my soul beg that it may be thorowly viewed well and truely weighed and considered and that with a perfect heart and upright minde The path we are to walk in hath not been troden these many yeers we will therefore endeavour to take the light along with us and to walk so much the more circumspectly easily and gently and the God of Jacob direct us in our way I know that much is seldom without much folly in a little there may be the less I shall therefore labour brevity and submit the ensuing Discourse of my immature yeers unto the judgement of my ancients I shall forbear to dispute the assertions arguments or advices of any in the point but leave them to the consideration of those they most properly concern and give the world my account of the matter without so much as possibly I may taking any account of theirs The matter to be treated of is Government Authority or Rule Wherein I desire we may all consider First What that we call Government Authority or Rule properly and truely is Secondly Upon what basis or foundation it may or can stand I care not to dispute of Government either this or that as Monarchy Aristocracie Democracie and the rest whether this or that or the other be best upon which there hath been so many Voluminous Disputes with little or no satisfaction either to the standers by or Disputants themselves Nor yet care I for too narrow an enquiry into the true Etymologie of the words Government Authority and Rule what their true import is or what they signifie and hold forth unto us neither into the two terms of absolute and limited Governours or Government I rather chuse in all things of this nature to shorten disputes by laying aside the Head that we may come to the Heart I like not therefore would not acquaint my self with those notional aerial Disputes in which men have been and are so much exercised like two accurate Fencers that come upon the Stage onely shew each others nimble activity curious fallacies and neat slights in the feats of Arms for verily I account it much belowe or unlike a man Man were he known would be found a more excellent and noble creature then to make so many vain motions and profers in so vain a manner or as others so many violent and strong motions many times also to so little purpose Let us then I pray like men descend into our selves leaving our heads behinde us and consider First what we are Then about what And thirdly for what we dispute or I had rather say enquire before we enter the Disputation or Enquiry First Let us consider we are men which very word man I never speak or think of but verily it makes me to make a pause and to consider and the more I do consider the more still I cannot but stand and consider Man what Man God's Image what God's Image the most excellent the most glorious noble and stable Piece in the whole Creation the very true image pattern and rule of all things and so lord of all Gen. 1. 26 28. Secondly I beseech you let us consider what we dispute about We often have many long tedious hot and fiery Disputes yea blowes and bloodshed too many times about meer Sayings one saith This is best or This is right another saith That is and a third and fourth a third and fourth thing when as if duely weighed and considered layd aright to its right Rule Man O Man where art thou O thou Rule of all things neither perhaps would be found good or right Oh therefore that Man would

it that 〈◊〉 wise man establisheth his work by counsel Neither I ●ray let your motions be too violent lest thereby you ●●●…e not onely injurious to your selves but to others also injuring the wheat in taking away the Tares In calmness there is cleerness but yet I say do your work and do it faithfully and the Lord shall bless and prosper you yea and peoples and Nations and Kingdoms shall bless you and their and your generations for ever shall bless you And although perhaps you may not be the builders be not therein discouraged for the leveller of the way or the breaker down is as necessary as the builder and the breaker down and leveller will be found to have the better wages for it is just he should because his work is hardest And God is just And in truth both the breaker down and builder up are but one though in two distinct Offices and for two distinct uses they are one in the beginning and one in the end yea and one in the way also one in the hand of the Lord and one in one another as you have it cleer and plain in that Scripture where it is said They had their swords in one hand and their trowels in the other whilest they were building the Temple Your hearts also which are the levellers may be more upright with the Lord then perhaps the builders are or may be you have much the advantage of them many ways as I could manifest but I hasten it was so in David and Solomon David was a very great Leveller or breaker down but David built not yet David carries the Bell away in the sight of the Lord for a man whose heart was upright with the Lord above Solomon and all the Kings of Israel And in truth a truly-noble and ingenuous spirit minds more his work then his wages nay his work is his wages he carries his meat with him always in his mouth so that he cannot faint or wax weary nor turn aside to this hand or to that for he hath what he would have already it is already in his mouth hence Christ saith It was his meat and drink to do his Fathers will I remember it is recorded of an English King I take it to be Ethelstane who after he had regained Scotland subjected formerly to England as a Dukedom thereof makes it again a politique and real Kingdom saying It was more noble to make a King then to be a King What will you level and make way for a King the King of righteousness and Prince of Peace why do so and blessed are you in so doing It is enough And surely if I make another happy good or glorious my happiness good and glory may as much be seen yea and have as real an existencie therein also if not more then is in him whom I have made so It is so with God his glory his goodness is as much seen and known yea and more too and hath as real an existence in his things made as the things he hath so made possibly may or can have in their being made so and Christ faith Whoso loseth his life for my sake shall finde it sevenfold And certainly all Gods ways workings and goings forth in and unto the sons of men are in union perfectly just and right and we shall both see it and know it so soon as our eys are open and behold him so in his whole Creation and that with open face Wait but a while and we shall see the Lord face to face and yet live and not die nay that shall make us live and be our life covering and filling the whole earth And as Gods ways workings and goings forth are such to us so should nay so shall ours be unto him and one another still in a due and true proportion when we see him so and before we cannot for as it is written We shall be changed into the same image made as we were at first Just as he is right as he is be made one in him and with him as the Scriptures speak but we must first see him thus face to face God did make man in his own image and likeness upright and perfect Verily the world is full of vain empty trifling writings and disputes may I not call them so surely I may and not transgress but I hope the froth and vanity is almost spent and gone and that by how much the more the vanity and emptiness is and hath been by so much the more will the substance and fulness be in the end and that by how much the more we begin to be out of love with and so to forsake throw and cast away that we shall by so much the more and the more readily receive love and imbrace the truth and substance and that the greater this excess of vanity hath been the more easier and readier shall we part with it I hope it hath well-nigh fulfilled its measure sin hath and doth abound exceedingly our excesses in all things have been and are even to astonishment I hope therefore as Paul saith that grace and truth shall so much the more super abound Yet my brethren let us not therefore sin or continue longer in these vanities and excesses Have we not sufficiently glutted our selves with the works and deeds of darkness and the night I hope we have and so shall now loath them so much the more Brethren the day appears and the light is broken forth look upon it for it is very pleasant to behold and although we have been children tossed to and fro with every winde let us now be men setled and stablished upon such a Rock and Foundation from whence nothing may nor ought nor must nor can remove us Let us no longer embrace folly and despise wisdom I know them both and give me leave to tell you that wisdom is all in all unto all things and without it there is not neither indeed and in truth can there be any thing It and it onely doth all things in Heaven and in earth I need not tell you what Solomon saith of it that you know so well as I and dobtless he was a very wise man yet saith Christ Behold a wiser then Solomon is here whose wisdom did excel the others much in many things as might be shewed but it is not convenient therefore hear and follow him Brethren be not enemies to your selves bar not up the gates shut not up the doors against your selves Wisdom as Solomon saith cries out in the streets unto every one she would gladly possess you and be possessed of you you may have her if you please she offers her self daily to you if you will look after her and embrace her It is enough But that which hath and doth trouble me most is those dividing principles no I will not call them so but rather dividing voices whereby men both by their speakings and their writings discover much of wrath and enmity Yet here also am I