Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	work_n	work_v	yield_v	41	3	7.0704	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A01974	Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.	Gouge, William, 1578-1653.; Gouge, William, 1578-1653. Dignitie of chivalrie.; Gods three arrowes. aut	1631 (1631)	STC 12116; ESTC S103284	362,085	493

generall inference thereupon So that we we Christians that live so many yeares after Ioshuaes time we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I will not feare c. Heb. 13. 5 6. Though we cannot therefore expect the same particular Quis est qui considerat opera Dei quibus regitur administratur totus hic mundus non obstupescit obruiturque miraculis Aug in Ioh. 2. Tract 8. Faciem quodam modo ponentes ad ea quae fecit dorsum ponimus ad artificem qui fecit Ibid. works of God to be done for us that of old were done for others yet the generals we may and ought to believe that that God which provided for and delivered of old such as trusted in him is still able and willing to provide for and deliver such as now trust in him These generals expect from God As for the means and manner of doing it referre them to his wisdome He ever remaineth the same God as in his power so in his will affection and compassion towards such as trust in him He can by sundry means bring things to the same issue If thorowly and advisedly the usuall works of God were considered even those whereby the whole world is ruled and governed who would not be astonished even as at miracles and by the miraculousnesse of them be strengthened in faith But many turning their faces to the works that are done turne their backes to him that did them Whence it comes to passe that neither God hath the glory which belongs to him nor man that profit which otherwise he might reape from the works of God Gather now ye that trust in the Lord gather what evidences Observe Gods former works ye can by Gods former works of his power and will Oft meditate thereon plead them in prayer before God In your catalogue of Gods former works be sure you leave not out such as are done in your daies and to your selves in particular whereof upon experimentall evidence you may say to God marvellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth Psal 139. 14. right well The works which were brought to Moses his mind by holding up this rod were such as were done in his daies before his eyes by his ministry Such works as are done in our daies and to our selves make the deepest impression and have the most effectuall and mighty operation Such were they whereby Iacob and David were strengthened Gen. 32. 10. 1 Sam. 17. 56. in their faith Though we have not such a visible signe of Gods former works as this rod was which Moses held up yet we have as good and sure staies for our faith to rest upon For we have Gods works recorded in Gods Word a Word of truth And we may say as the Psalmist doth We have heard with our eares O God our fathers have told us Psal 44. 1. what works thou diddest in their daies in the times of old And God hath in our dayes and before our eyes done such works as give us sufficient ground to trust in him We have memories to retaine them We have minds to meditate on them We may if we will register and record them What could Moses his rod do more then al these Though we want that externall signe yet we have the substance And by a right use of what we have our faith in God may be strengthened as Moses was by the use of this rod. Ruminate therfore on Gods bringing in the Gospell in King Henry the 8 daies On establishing it in King Edward the 6 daies On the courage comfort and constancy that he gave to Martyrs in Queene Maries daies On the restoring of the Gospell in blessed Queene Elizabeths daies On the many victories then given especially in 88. On the many deliverances from Papists treasons especially in 605. As occasion is offered seriously ponder and meditate on these and other like works of God and thereby shalt thou find much vigour infused into thy faith Withall well note the promises of God For this rod which Moses tooke up to the hill was a signe of Gods promise Take this rod in thine hand saith God wherewith Exo. 4. 17. thou shalt do signes Gods promises are the most proper ground-worke of faith as I have * * * The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6 16. Treat 2. Part. 6 § 71 c. elswhere shewed §. 34. Of the benefit of a perswasion of others prayers VIII * * * See §. 26. PErswasion of others prayers addeth much courage in dangerous imployments This was one reason why a a a Num. 10. 9. God in his Law ordred that his Priests should go with their silver trumpets into the armies of his people that by that signe his people might be assured of the Priests prayers and be thereby the more encouraged b b b 2 Chro. 13. 14 Thus were the people in Abijahs time much encouraged This questionlesse was the reason why c c c Iudg. 4. 8. Barak was so importunate to have Deborah go with him to the warre Her sex might make him thinke that she was not fit to lead an army or to fight But he knowing her to be a Prophetesse did also know that her prayers would be availeable with the Lord and withall he thought that the sight of the battell would extend her spirit the more earnestly to call upon the Lord for them Did not this perswasion encourage him who speaking of his troubles said d d d Phil. 1. 19. I know that this shall turne to my salvation thorow your prayer Gods people being acquainted with Gods Word thereby know that God is the fountaine of all blessing and that prayer is the means of receiving all needfull blessing from him and that the prayers of others are availeable with God Muliùm valent preces in communi multorum Hier. Commēt in Rom. 15. as well as their owne and that when others prayers are joyned with theirs they are so much the more powerfull How can they then but be the more incouraged by their perswasion of others prayers for them Of craving others prayers See The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 19. Treat 3 §. 137. Good cause there is for this very cause when any go about any weighty difficult or dangerous worke or when they are in any dangers or feares to crave the prayers of such as they count faithfull as e e e 2 King 19. 4. Hezekiah did of Isayah And for them of whom this duty is desired by solemne promise to bind themselves to do it as f f f 1 Sam. 12. 23. Samuel did that so they who desire it may have the more cause to believe that it shall be performed And if the worke enterprised be publique meet it is that a fast be proclaimed and publique prayers enjoyned for their good successe By these publique prayers more notice may be taken of the many prayers that by many persons are

schismaticall and prophane persons loathed Superstitious persons wish for Queene Maries dayes againe Schismatiques wish there had beene no reformation unlesse it had beene better The prophane cry out of too much preaching 5. For Magistrates abusing their authority all the complaints 5. Magistrates abuses of the Prophets may too justly be taken up against many of ours if at least this were a fit place to make complaints of their bribe-taking perverting justice oppressing the innocent using their power to their owne turnes c. 6. For Ministers perverting their function many among 6. Ministers faults us exceed the false prophets among the Iewes None greater discouragers of the upright None greater animaters of the prophane The greatest zeale which they use to shew is in their bitter invectives against such as make most conscience of sinne They are too great companions with the baseer and lewder sort 7. For trampling upon such as are fallen so inhumane are 7. In humanity Am 6. 6. many as they do not onely stretch themselves upon their beds and drinke wine in bowles while their brethren ●e groaning under sore afflictions or like the Priest and Levite passe by without succouring such as are not able to helpe themselves Luk. 10 31 32. Iob 4 6. Luk. 1. 1. 2 Sam. 16. 7 8 but like Iobs friends charge them with hypocrisie or like the Iewes account them the greatest sinners or as Shemei raile on them and so give them instead of a cup of consolation vinegar and gall to drinke 8. For conspiracy and consent in sin when was there more 8. Conspiracy then among us Great ones meane ones old young male female Magistrates subjects Ministers people rich poore masters servants all of one mind to disgrace integrity and to countenance impiety and iniquity Insomuch as the Prophets complaint is too truly verified among us Isa 59. 15. He that refraineth from evill maketh himselfe a prey 9. For obstinacy in sinne who can open his mouth wide 9. Obstinacy enough against mens stubbornenesse They are impudent and stiffe-necked They have a whores forehead and will not be Ezek. 2. 4. Ier. 3. 3. ashamed They bid a kind of defiance to God himselfe As they abuse his mercies so they despise his judgements What swearer what blasphemer what drunkard what adulterer what fornicatour what oppressour what extortioner what usurer what deceiver is reformed by this Plague So obstinate are people as God had need to make the faces of his Ministers strong against their foreheads Ezek. 3 8 9. 10. For Infidelity we Ministers have too great cause to cry out Who hath believed our report Were not this sinne 10. Infidelity Isa 53. 1. so fast fixed in mens hearts as it is much more comfort would be received from the Ministry of the Gospell and much better obedience yeelded thereto The Apostle giveth this reason of the small profit that was reaped by the Gospell It was not mixed with faith in them that heard it True faith hath a double worke where it is kindly wrought Heb 4 2. Faiths double worke 1. In generall it perswadeth the heart of the truth of Gods Word 2. In particular it brings the heart to apply that truth to it selfe as a truth which concernes him The small profit that many reape by Gods Word the little use that they make thereof sheweth how infidelity beareth sway in them Thus it commeth to passe that they are like the children in the market that neither danced to them that piped nor lamented with them that mourned Nor promises nor Mat 11. 16 17. threatnings nor mercies nor judgements worke upon them 11. For impenitency It cannot be denied but that many yea most are so setled on their sins as they hate to be reformed 11. Impenitency Where are true fruits of repentance to be found Where shame where sorrow for sin Where turning from sin Men rather grow worse and worse Gods judgments harden their Tantam nactus Pharao lengani mitatē extrema● de omnibus dedit poenas Chrys ad Pop. Hom. 46. hearts as they did the heart of Pharaoh But he paid thorowly for abuse of so much patience If by any occasion their consciences be any whit rub'd and they brought thorow feare and anguish to promise amendment they quickly shew that no true repentance was wrought in them But it is hapned unto them according to the true proverbe The dog is turned to his 2 Pet. 2. 22. owne vomit againe and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 12. For Apostasie if first we consider inward apostasie 12. Apostasie Inward which is b Rev. 2. 4 5. 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. a decaying inwardly in former love of truth too great and just cause of complaining is given Many have left their first love and become c Rev. 3. 16. Outward Apostasie lukewarme as the Laodiceans Thus a ready way is made to outward apostasie which is an open renouncing of the very profession of true Religion as this whole land did in Queene Maries raigne It is much to be feared that if a like occasion should be given a like apostasie would follow If these and other like provocations of Gods wrath among us be duly weighed we shall see cause enough to confesse that Gods wrath is justly gone out against us and that we have deservedly pulled this Plague upon our owne pates It remaines therefore that we thorowly humble our selves that we lay open our soares before our mercifull God that we faithfully promise amendment that we give evidence of the intire purpose of our heart in promising by an answerable performance But above all for the present that we crave mercy and pardon of God thorow Iesus Christ that he may offer up his sweet incense to pacifie his Father and cause his destroying Angell to stay his hand §. 47. Of the kind of plague here meant THe Effect of the fore-mentioned wrath that came from the Lord is thus expressed THE PLAGVE IS BEGVN The word translated * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plague is a generall word that signifieth any heavy stroake of God The roote whence it is derived signifieth to strike a Exo. 21. 35. It is applied to an oxes striking or pushing to death so to other like strikings but most commonly to Gods striking of wicked men with some extraordinary judgement As where David said of Saul b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sam. 26. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord shall smite him meaning so as to destroy him This word is c Exo. 8. 2. 12. 23. 12. 27. Ios 24. 5. oft used of Gods smiting the Egyptians when they held the Israelites among them as bond-slaves Yea such a word as d Exo. 9. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in my text is used to set out all those judgements which God brought upon the Egyptians called plagues The word PLAGVE in our vulgar acception

hands and lapped it with their tongues shewed that their mind was so on their worke which they had to do as they would not tarry to kneele downe they would onely lap and be gone a little for present necessity so much as might somewhat slacke their thirst and refresh them was sufficient Gods appointing such onely to be retained for Warre proveth the point in hand Much more the expresse precepts which by God himselfe and his Ministers were given unto those that were set apart for Warre to be valiant and couragious When God deputed Ioshua to be Generall over all Israel he gave him this expresse charge Be strong and of a good courage which he further thus enforceth Have not I commanded thee Be Ios 1. 6. strong and of a good courage Be not afraid neither be thou 9. dismayed The like charge did Moses in the name of the Lord give to all Israel that were deputed to War in these words Be strong and of a good courage feare not nor be afraid of them Yea God ordained it for a perpetuall Law that when Deut. 31. 7. his people were to go to Warre this Proclamation should be made What man is there that is fearefull and faint-hearted let him go and returne unto his house This Law God commanded Deut. 20. 8. Gideon to proclaime before his army The equity thereof was so clearely discerned by the very light of nature Iudg. 7. 3. as many of the Heathen put it in practice by name Iphicrates the Athenian and Epaminondas the Theban If such as are fearfull and faint-hearted be not fit for Warre neither De Israelitarum virtute in bell is gerendis lege Aug. de Mirab. S Script l. 2. c. 34. Iud 20. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Chron. 13. 3. are they fit to be trained up in Martiall Exercises Most meet it is that Military Men be of mighty minds It is usuall with the Holy Ghost to set out such men as were trained up and set apart to Warre to set them out by their power and prowesse Of those foure hundred thousand men that out of all the Tribes of Israel were chosen to fight against Benjamin and Gibeah of every one of them it is said that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vir belli a true Man of Warre a valiant a mighty man Of those many hundred thousands which Ioab numbred in Davids time it is said that they were valiant men that drew swords even every one of them as the Hebrew phrase implyeth And of those many hundred thousands also which out of Iudah and Israel were gathered together in two armies to fight one against another in Abijahs and Ieroboams time it is said that they were * * * The Hebrew is very emphaticall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the emphasis whereof being observed by the LXX is thus expressed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mighty in might valiant men of Warre mighty men of valour which commendation is also given to those many troupes of trained souldiers which Iehosaphat maintained in Ierusalem 2 Chron. 17. 13. When David purposed to take vengeance of Ammon for the indignity and ignominy which was offered to his Ambassadours he sent Ioab and all the Host of the Mighty men against them Before the good Spirit of God left Saul when he saw any strong 2 Sam 10. 7. 1 Sam. 14. 52. man or any valiant man he tooke him unto him namely to traine him up in Martiall discipline Of David himselfe and 2 Sam. 17. 10. of such as followed him it is said that all Israel knew that he was a mighty man and they valiant men And of those that came to him in Ziklag it is said that they were Mighty 1 Chron. 12. 1 2 8 21. Men mighty men of valour that could use both theright hand and the left men of might men of Warre fit for the battell that could handle shield and buckler whose faces were like the faces of Lyons c. Doth not this frequent mention of the might and valour of such as were for Warre shew that they that take upon them to be Military men must be of mighty minds and that timorous weake and feeble persons are not fit for the Artillery profession §. 11. Of the damage of timorous souldiers VVHere God first enacted the fore-named Law that no fearefull persons should goe to Warre he rendreth this Reason Least his brethrens heart faint like his Lamentable Deut. 20. 8. experience hath given too great evidence of the truth hereof A few white-liverd faint-hearted souldiers have oft beene the ruine of a great strong Army which hath beene put to rout by reason of their fainting and yeelding so as such men are more fit to stoope downe to a sythe then to take vp a sword to lift a pitchforke then to tosse a pike to handle a mattocke then to hold a musket and to carrie a bush-bill rather then a battell-axe But on the other side of such use are valiant men and valorous minds as their courage may supply the want of number and though they be but few not feare the face of many It is noted that Abraham armed three hundred and eighteene to expresse not the Numeravit 318 Vt scias non quantitatem numerised meritum electionis expressum Amb. de Abr. Patr. l 1 c 3. 2 Sam 23. 8 9 c. 1 Chron 12 14. Levit 26. 8. number of many but the worth of choice ones Well weigh the mighty and great exploits that were atchieved by Davids Worthies by reason of their valour and courage and you shall find that a few couragious men to great armies of cowards are as so many Lyons to whole heards of deere Five may chase an hundred and an hundred put ten thousand to flight Is it not then most meet that Military Men be of mighty minds §. 12. Of Righteousnesse making valorous IN applying this point I will give you a divine direction for attaining to that which hath beene proved to be so requisite valor and courage The direction is grounded on one of Salomons Proverbs which is this The wicked flie when no Pro. 28. 1. man pursueth but the righteous are bold as a lyon Righteousnesse then maketh men valorous wickednesse timorous Quis tam sortis quam sanctus Amb. Offic. l 1 c 39. Who to be accounted righteous Psal 14. 3. Rom 3 10. Impavidus profectò miles omni ex parte securus qui ut corpus ferro sic animum fidei lorica induitur utriusque nimirum indutus armis nec daemonem timet nec hominem Bern Serm. ad Mil Temp c. 1. They who know who are righteous who wicked cannot but acknowledge the truth of this proverbe A righteous man cannot be here thought to be such an one as hath in every part point and degree fulfilled the Law of righteousnesse according to the exact rule thereof So there is none righteous no not one But in Gospel-phrase he is