Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	abound_v	godliness_n	temperance_n	1,050	5	11.3029	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43587	The sure mercies of David: or, a second part of Heart-treasure Wherein is contained the supream and substance of gospel-mercies purchased by Christ, and promised in the covenant of grace, together with the several ways how they are made and are to be improved for the saints fort and defence, settlement and incouragement in shaking and back-sliding times. Being the fruit of some meditations upon Isa. 55. 3. By O. Heywood an unprofitable minister of the gospel.; Heart-treasure. Part 2.	Heywood, Oliver, 1629-1702.	1670 (1670)	Wing H1775; ESTC R216795	143,081	284

to thy faith be it unto thee 5. Walk close with God as that is one of the mercies of the Covenant so 't is an evidence of our interest in the Covenant and 't is a notable means of obtaining and maintaining assurance Psal 50.23 to him ●hat ordereth his conversation aright will I ●hew the salvation of God close-walkers have many choice discoveries Psal 119.165 Oh the peace ●hat such have as keep Gods commandments Oh the sweet refreshment which results from a lively obedience the work of righteousness is peace the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever Isa 32.17 Psal 25 14. Mat. 4.2 Joh. 14.15 16. v. 21. if you keep constantly in the ●ear of God he will discover to you the secrets of his Covenant he will cause the Sun of righteousness to arise upon you if you keep his Commandments you shall have a comforter and he will manifest himself to you But if you grow careless and remiss in your walking and step aside to any gross sin no wonder if you have little assurance of these Covenant-mercies for these do separate betwixt you and your God you and comfort this obscured Davids interest in God and his unsuitable Acts cost him many a tear and sad thoughts of heart which made him cry out of broken bones and bitterly groan out his sad complaints for the want of the joy of Gods salvation yea for one act of sloth and security the Church lost the sweet sense of divine love Cant. 5.26 Oh take heed of sin it is like a filthy vapour rising out of the soul that causeth a mist and a thick mist between God and us as will keep the light of his countenance from shining upon us it begets jealousies suspicio● and uncomfortable fears in the soul whether God be ours or no and therefore take heed of sin and walk humbly wit● God 6. Be much in self-observation som● have an interest in the Covenant but know it not for want of self-discovery therefore it were a good work to consider bo● your hearts and ways indeed the heart 〈◊〉 deceitful but you should take the candle 〈◊〉 the Word in the hand of Conscience an● deal impartially with your hearts seek into the obscure corners thereof and it 's possible in some nook or other you 'l find a Covenant-mercy canst thou not say as Peter i● sincerity Joh 21 17. Isa 38.3 thou knowest that I love thee o● with Hezekiah that you have walkt before God in uprighteness dost thou not find i● thy heart a care to please God fear to offen● him desire to enjoy him hatred of sin love t● the saints poverty of spirit despising th● World and low thoughts of thy best duty well now a sound search and clear discovery of the frame of your spirits will be 〈◊〉 notable way to assure to your selves you● interest in these Covenant-mercies and s● proving your selves Gal. 6.4 Prov. 14.14 your rejoycing and satisfaction shall be from your selves if thou canst but find one saving Grace in thy heart in truth thou maist gather some evidence thence and Gods Children have taken comfort in their sincere love to the Brethren when they have have scarce discerned any other grace and so have assured their hearts before God that they were of ●he truth see 1 John 3.18 19. there 's ne●er a good work done if it be right for principle rule and end but it will help us ●o a discovery of our state that our work ●s wrought in God Joh. 3.21 therefore ●et's be willing to come to the light and try our hearts and acts so may we attain assurance of our interest 7. Reflect upon and recollect your former experiences this was Davids usual method ●o assure his heart of the truth of Grace Psal 77.6 Psal 143.5 6. Job 23.11 12. and his interest in God Psal 77.10 I will remember the years of the right hand of the most high days of old his songs in the night this course took Job and many other saints and the Apostle bids the believing Hebrews call to remembrance the former days in which after they were illuminated they endured a great fight of afflictions Heb. 10.32 and this was in order to the recovery of Gods smiles and the sence of his love you 'l say what am I better for remembring what goodness was in me in time past which I am now fallen from and have lost I answer much every way chiefly because these mercies of the Covenant are sure mercies and though they may be obscured yet never abolished where God loves once he loves to the end Joh. 13.1 Job 19.28 1 Pet. 1.23 the bud and blossom of comfort may be nipt but the root of the matter and incorruptible seed remains in the heart a man in a swoun hath life though possibly 't is not discernable to himself or others grace may be hid yet alive as the sap returns into the root in Winter want of comfortable sense and feeling is not a loss of Grace in this case search your records and see if you cannot find some manifestations of God to your souls in former times I have heard of a godly Woman who was wont to write down how God dealt with her heart and time place manner of her communion with God a time of destruction came the comforts and counsels of Ministers friends were in vain 〈◊〉 a good man gets her Book shews it under her own hand which she could no● deny clears the immutable love of God plyes her with it drives the nail home and thereby she recovered her assurance thus may you therefore recollect experiences 8. Strengthen every grace the greate● any thing is the more is is discernable little Grace is not so soon discovered a● much Grace a greater measure of th● Graces of the spirit carryes a beauty and lustre along with it and hath a self-evidencing testimony of the souls sincerity Christians do you add to your faith vertue knowledge temperance patience Godliness brotherly-kindness charity fo● if these things be in you and abound yo● shall both be fruitful and they will help you to clear up your calling and election 2 Pet. 1 5-10 these resemble the soul to God and the more God-like a Chrstian grows the more clear will he be in point of state Saints of the greatest magnitude are usually more free from doubtings whiles sincere yet weak believers are much pestered with jealousies and misgivings the more you get of these sure mercies into your hearts the more sure you are of your interest in them the faster hold you have of God the surer you 'l be you have indeed hold of him every step towards Zion will add new strength stability and satisfaction to the holy Pilgrim encrease Repentance and you increase assurance of the remission of sins increase faith and that brings on assurance of faith strengthen hope and you settle your Anchor grow in love to God and his way courage and zeal