Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	spirit_n	worship_v	worshipper_n	8,943	5	13.1108	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44826	The benefit of a well-ordered conversation as it was delivered in a sermon preached June 24th. 1682. On a day of publick humiliation. As also a funeral discourse upon the three first verses of the third chapter of Isaiah; occasioned by the death of the worshipful Major General Denison; who deceased at Ipswich, Sept. 20. 1682. By Mr. William Hubbard. To which is annexed an Irenicon or a salve for New-England's sore: penned by the said major general; and left behind him as his farewell and last advice to his friends of the Massachusets.	Hubbard, William, 1621 or 2-1704.; Denison, Daniel, 1613-1682. Irenicon.	1684 (1684)	Wing H3208; ESTC W9576	81,919	262

obedience all manner of wickedness and impiety may be carried on under the outward form of religious Worship as Paul foretold concerning the latter dayes and we have seen it fulfilled in our times This was the condition and state of the Church of Israel in the time when this Psalm was composed and many others I will not reprove thee for thy burnt offerings I will take no Bullock out of thy Stall Offering and Sacrifice sayes David in another Psalm thou delightest not in else would I give it thee i. e. comparatively They were the Sacrifices of Righteousness that God most of all delighted in the other without this were not of themselves desirable at all Outward Worship without the concurrence of inward piety and holiness are part of the bodily exercise Paul speaks of which profits little Saul himself seems not to have been wanting in Sacrifices for he reserved the fattest of them for that end but Samuel tells him that Obedience was better than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of Rams Austin complained in his time that the Church was burdened with the observation of too many Rites and Ceremonies and Superstitious Observations And yet himself Good man the more was the pity was not unwilling to increase that burden by superfluous additaments which with other Bishops that lived in those times would assuere or few unto the ornaments of the Church what would he and they have said if they had survived to following times when there hath been so much ado about outward Rites and Semblance of Holiness in places dayes garments and gestures but ●o care taken by Christians to cleanse their hands and purifie their hearts from the unclean lusts of the Flesh whereas Davids care was to wash his hands in innocency before he compassed Gods Altar God is a Spirit and requires such Worshippers as worship him in spirit and in truth that take care to wash the inside as well as the outside of their vessels If we consult the History of the Scriptures we shall there find that they were only men that feared God and walked with him in way of Holy Communion that enjoyed his Salvation who though they were Pilgrims and Strangers upon Earth yet by the holiness of their lives and wayes approving themselves to God as those that desired to fear his Names they alwayes were made to see his Salvation and to dwell under the wings of his protection 3. The Duties of Righteousness as well as of Religion are also a necessary part of a well ordered Conversation There were two Tables of the Law of God the Duties of Religion were written in the one the Duties of Righteousness in the other These two were alwayes to walk hand in hand and kiss one another in the Mount of God like Moses and Aaron Joshua and Zerubbabel the one taking care of the affairs of God the other of the things of Men. These two were as the Pillars before Solomon's Temple they do not only adorn but bear up the Foundation of a Peoples Prosperity if either of these gives way desolation will soon break in upon a People or Place These are the two great Commandments on which hang the Law and the Prophets It is in vain to pretend to the one without care conscience of the other when our Saviour gives a resolution to the young Mans case Mat. 19. about the good thing which was to be done in order to eternal life which was in effect no more than to see Gods Salvation he is sent to the second Table of the Law not as if the other were to be neglected but that he might be convinced how far he fell short in the Duties of Righteousness toward his fellow-creatures and so might the more easily be made to understand what an hard matter it was to fulfil the Duties of the first Table For as John saith He that loves not his Brother as he should whom he hath and doth daily converse with how shall he be able to love God as he ought whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4.20 Hereby is shewed also that love to our neighbour which includes all acts o● Righteousness is requisite unto life a● well as love to God This was the Doctrine of Moses's Law and of all the Prophets whose Writings were but as Comments thereon what man is he saith David that desireth life and loveth many day● that he may see good i. e. Gods Salvation Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile c. Psal 34.12 13 14 15 and the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous c. his ears open to their cry Men must as well work righteousness as fear God and all they that so do are accepted of God in every nation Act. 9. The want of the care in either of these cuts us off from Gods Salvation For as James saith that mans Religion is in vain who bridleth not his Tongue And visiting the Fatherless or the Widow is made by him so essential unto true Religion as if it were the intrinsick part thereof True Religion may fitly be compared to a Tree as such are called Trees of righteousness which looks upward yet takes root downward we look up to God by our holiness and the devotion of our hearts unto him and so are said to have our conversation in Heaven yet while we are conversant here below we must attend the duties that do concern those amongst whom we sojourn on the Earth The particular duties and rules of this Righteousness toward men are many They are summed up in a few words by Moses in the Decalogue or the Commandments and are yet expressed by our Saviour in fewer To love our Neighbour as our selves And that is a sure rule whereby we may be satisfied about the Righteousness of our Actions toward others by looking into our own hearts and asking them if we would be willing others should do so unto us which Rule if it were put in practise would put an end to all or most of the controversies that Professors to the scandal of their Religion are oft times so eagerly contending about This is the golden Rule of Christianity on which we may write Probatum est The Prophets under the Old Testament as well as the Apostles under the new are found to declaim against impurities oppression and deceit amongst men as well as against impiety toward God for both arise from the same Principal of corrupt Nature in us all The Prophet Isaiah Chap. 5.7 makes a complaint how the Vineyard of Gods Church had degenerated from the sincerity of obedience into wayes of unrighteousness I looked for judgment but behold oppression or corruption for purity and behold a cry There is a greater elegancy in the Hebrew words that can be answered by any of our translations by the similitude of the sound in those words It thereby appears that when the Garden or Vineyard of God which is his Church is over-run with those rank weeds that smell

present Generation of New-England upon the enquiry if they be such as order their way aright It is now a day of rebuke a time of Jacobs troubles he is brought very low by whom shall he arise It is Gods Salvation alone that we must expect and who are they that shall be assured to see that They are only such as order their Conversation aright Our fore-Fathers did approve themselves as such and accordingly they were made to see Gods Salvation they had as many Enemies met with as many dangers encountred with as many difficulties yet God delivered saved them out of all Do we that are yet surviving and coming on so order our way that we may say or hope we shall be made to see the salvation of God We were at the first planted a righteous Generation and noble Vine do we so continue Of all the Reformations that ever yet began in the World there have been but a very few observed to continue above an hundred years in that splendor and brightness with which they were at the first set forward Take for instance those of antient time before or since the Gospel began That of David and Solomon Asa and Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah lasted but their time That of the Maccabees did not out-live their time at least in the beauty of it That of the Primitive Church was not so much a reforming as a new planting of the Church in Gospel Order when the night of Heathenish darkness and Jewish Ceremonies was quite spent and the day of the Gospel was at hand But the Reformation of Constantines time scarce continued in its primitive lustre and glory a full hundred years before a great degree of Apostasie appeared for t is said The Woman fled into the Wilderness after the birth of her Man-child that was to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron She hasted into the Wilderness where she was to continue 1260 dayes prophetical dayes which are so many Julian Political years It is to be supposed that the Church was some considerable time going before she was quite gone into the Wilderness The day of this last Reformation began first to break out in the time of Wickcliffe but it was not perfect day till Luther's time from whose dayes to the present time who ever takes a view may easily determine whether in the Nations that first embraced the Protestant Religion there be the same measure of Piety Zeal Holiness as was at the first In what integrity Geneva hath stood since Calvin's time is not unknown to many of them who are carrying on the Work of the present Generation As for our selves here in New-England we were or might have been set in the right way having no prejudicate Opinion or practice to forestal our Judgments but had the help of all the former ages and other Nations as well as our own Godly and Learned Divines in them to take pattern and example from in the laying our first Foundation both of Religion and Righteousness Doctrine and Discipline Church and Common-wealth Our first Rulers and Leaders in both were careful to order all things according to the pattern in that Mount Children that would not lye so God became their Saviour saving them from forreign and intestine Foes If we that are their posterity be found Children that will lie deny our first principles either in Faith or manners how can we expect that God should be our Saviour Now compare things 1. In the first place They sought first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and waited upon God for addition of such other things as he judged necessary They came not hither for the World or for Land or Traffick but for Religion and for liberty of Conscience in the Worship of God which was their only design and accordingly God blessed them and gave them the desire of their hearts they had the priviledges of God's Kingdom to their great content and satisfaction he added outward things above what was or could be expected in a Wilderness and when the first way of supply began to be stopped up God in his merciful providence opened another by turning us into a way of Trade and Commerce to further our more comfortable subsistence So God was pleased to bless our Issachar in his Tents and our Zebulun in their goings out who still called the People to the mountain and offered Sacrifices of Righteousness while they did thus like Solomon that sent his Ships to Ophir which brought in that which was of necessary and of substantial use God blessed them and made them see his salvation but when men could not content themselves in such a way of dealing but Traded only for Apes and Peacocks as was said by Mr. C. that is brought in nothing but Sack and Sugar Commodities to make fuel for Lust and called young people not to the mountain of the Lords house but to our own private recesses to offer Sacrifice to Bacchus and Venus and burns Incense to the evil Fiend hath not God broken our Ships at Ezion Geber and is he not now laying the Axe to the root of our Religion as well as Civil Rights and Liberties and begins to cut us short every way Hath not God called to contend by Fire and by Water by Famine and by Blasting Mildew Sword and Pestilence and is not his hand stretched out still Our Estates and Persons are spoiled by Murderers and barbarous Mahometans and it is to be feared the Lords controversie is not yet ended The Daughters of our Sion walks with stretched out necks c. And may we not find an Inventory of our Virgins Wardrobes in the third Chapter of Isaiah The Ensignes of Pride are exalted in our high places and all the produce in a manner of the whole Countrey is converted to maintain a commerce of superfluous vanities God threatens not to save but severely punish the Minister and Schollar the Mistriss and her Hand-maid for such thing as these yea to cut off the Tabernacles Jacob for such things as these 2. That Generation were zealous for the Worship of God they would by no means admit of any mixture of humane Inventions with divine Institutions in the matter of Gods Worship When they came over hither they were as Rasa Tabula fit to receive any Impression from the spirit of truth either as to Doctrine or Worship It might have been said of them in way of commendation that they could not bear them which were evil and seducers from the way of truth and that they tried them which said they were Apostles and were not and did find them Liars They also hated the deeds of the Nicholaitans which were also hateful to the spirit of the Lord Jesus They kept the word of Christs patience they were also kept from the hour of Temptation None were suffered among them to wear a rough Garment to deceive but they were ready to shew the wounds which they received in the house of their Friends none were

regular our Churches State and Persons happy Blessed is the Man that feareth God and he shall see peace upon Israel 2. Humility a precious virtue of strange operation it lays a man low and yet exalts him God gives Grace to the humble it is prescribed by an antient Doctor for the same Malady Sit aliquis fidelis sit potens in explicanda cognitione fit sapiens in Sermonum justa dijudicatione fit castus in operibus quanto major esse videtur tanto humilior esse debet The humble Spirit sensible of its own unworthiness will find work enough at home and think all his diligence too little to secure his own heart will find no spare time or abilities to pry into other mens wayes suspects himself more than he doth others esteeming them better than himself the object of his greatest displeasure is within he is most severe to himself and indulgent to others he will seek for and embrace peace abroad that he may make War at home where his most deadly Enemies lurk which he makes his only business not engaging himself in the contest of others believing they may be composed by the prudence of a few wise men and would be enflamed by the intermedling of men of no greater abilities than he will own to be in himself and truly wise men and weak men will very hardly be drawn to make or intermeddle in a Fray lest they get a broken head for their pains The humble man is not ambitious of advancements least he get a fall and Qui jacet in terra non habet unde cadat He acknowledges God hath given him a full employment with his own business and an ample reward for all his services in his present state and for the remainder promised is very well content to stay till the general day of payment in the mean time he thinks bene vixit bene qui latuit and therefore will not tread upon other mens heads that he may be the more conspicuous nor fire the temple of Diana that he may be talked of nor evaporate his science and scatter his notions that he may be admired dicier hic est all his ambition is to know Christ and to be known of him 3. Charity a Divine vertue the efficacy whereof is inexpressible inerrabilis saith one Omnia sustinet nihil illiberale aut sordidum in charitate nihil superbum charitas non agnoscit schisma charitas seditionem non movet charitas omnia in concordia facit According to the Doctrine of Paul 1 Cor. 13. It vaunteth not is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoiceth not in iniquity it never faileth having a divine original the love of God shed abroad in our hearts That inexhaustible fountain can never dry up nor the streams thereof ever cease runing it makes us not only love God but those whom God loves he that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten because he is a Son of God not because he is of the same opinion or that this or that quality in him is pleasing such love of the brethren is no character of our Adoption though the want of it will be of the contrary Novit amor spiritualis nos in hac vita non nisi ex parte cognoscere at amor carnalis non nisi omnia scientem per omnia consentientem amare novit one scruple of this love so streightly commanded and so highly commended to us by our Lord and Saviour and by his beloved Disciple that we love one another were sufficient to remove our distempers and unite us in him and enforce us to love those whom he hath loved and for whom he died were our differences and provocations arrived to a greater height then thanks be to God as yet they are and which this discourse labours to prevent and if it effect it not I le change my Profession from a Physitian to a Preacher and tell you that he that loveth not his Brother the love of the Father is not in him Brethren ye have been called unto liberty only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another but if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another our Father will certainly find some Rod to make his Children quiet and agree together 4. Meekness a Virtue most necessary to fit for Society making us gentle tractable perswadable willing to bear the yoke in a Society without it men are like wild Beasts and untamed Heifers that will strike with the foot and push with the horn there is no coming within them they are children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of unperswadableness or of disobedience the one being a natural effect of the former The meek spirits are the Glue and Soader that unites Societies by this Moses bare the manners of a crooked Generation in the wilderness and without it would have treated them as Rebels for so he terms them Hear ye Rebels when he spake unadvisedly with his lips Take away meekness you take away peace from the Earth they are the meek Souls that keep the World quiet and have our Saviours promise to inherit the Earth they are the only meet Schollars of Christ Learn of me for I am meek them he promises to teach his way and to guid in judgment they that have learnt of such a Master cannot but be desirable being easie to be intreated whenas others like thorns cannot be handled without pricking the one lamb-like may be lead by a Child the other Lion-like not yielding to the greatest strength Duris ut ilex tonse bipennibus will stand many a stroak before they fall some men are led as Bears to a stake and are held there with no less difficulty till opportunity be gained of running to their Den they cannot see they cannot understand a Sickness it seems infesting our Nation in Chancers time that which English-men wills not that he understands not It is a sickness of the flesh we labour of under hatred variance emulations envying wrath strife the cure of which prescribed by the Apostle is recipe of the fruit of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Meekness 5. Honouring and reverencing our Seniors in all respects especially your Rulers and Leaders in Church and State it is the first Commandment with promise honour to whom honour fear to whom fear it is a just debt we owe them the non-payment whereof will occasion many contests and suits witness our many Courts and the much time spent in deciding the controversies of Meum Tuum you 'l say our common speech will evince we are not defective in this matter we call them Honoured and Worshipful and Reverend c. good words I confess and I could wish those that deserve them might never have worse but good words will not pay debts we have learnt to Complement if we were hearty it would be demonstrated by a more ingenious remuneration at least as to the specie then is done in many places sed hoes obiter preter scopum my intention is that honour and respect which God and nature requires from us to our Parents Leaders Guids and Shepheards My sheep hear my voice a Son honoureth his Father Travellers follow their Guids and Souldiers obey the commands of their Captain and unless they do so will undoubtedly miscarry Sheep scattering from their Shepheard are in danger of the Wolf Souldiers disputing the Commands of their Captain lay themselves open to the Enemy Travellers quarrelling with their Guid may happen to lose their way and Children disobeying their Parents may fall short of their Portions we must not pervert the order of God and nature why should I expect my fellow-traveller should direct my way better than my guid why then do I employ him that my Comrade should give a command more advantagious than my Captain that a Sheep though it were vir gregis should lead the flock into better Pasture than the Shepheard that my Brother should have a greater care for me than my Father At bonus aliquando dormitat Homerus they may mistake they are but men subject to passions errors and irregularities They claim no freedome from humane infirmities and failings yet we may say they are not meer men though not Dii majorum or minorum gentium yet the Scripture honoureth them with the title of Gods and also calls them Men of God who acting for God in his stead and by his order and appointment may expect a greater assistance from the spirit of truth than private men considering also their advantages of Education and experience and the joynt Prayers of those for whom they labour which I hope will not be denied them But what greater certainty can you have of others are they infallible may not they also do not they mistake have not they their frailties undoubtedly they have and though amongst them there may be acknowledged divers pious prudent knowing men I pray God increase their number near will envy for their sakes yet they have not the same call from God nor the like promise of assistance as their Leaders have and such men doubtless if they are what they are taken to be will be most forward to assist and support the Authority of their Leaders and be the most exemplary in obedience and for others or those that are otherwise minded that can espy and love to behold their Fathers nakedness let them but remember from whom they are descended that such ways lead to confusion and every evil work and will in conclusion draw upon them heavy judgments let not us that have and do enjoy the greatest priviledges hav●●●●en preserved hitherto by wonderful providences hasten our own ruin by our sinful miscarriages to prevent which I have proposed these Medicaments A Receipt of these five simples without composition accompanied with Fasting and Praying till they are well digested with Gods blessing may bring about the expected cure for the Dose you need not trouble your self there is not danger of taking too much And if this should fail which I fear not I have another Receipt but I fear it is somewhat corroding which I hope I shall never have occasion to use my lenitives working according to my expectation so I take my leave committing you to God a good Nurse FINIS