Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n
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A40515
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Select sermons preached upon Sundry occasions by John Frost ... ; now newly published together with two positions for explication and confirmation of these questions, I. Tota Christi justitia credentibus imputatur, 2, Fides justificat sub ratione instrumenti.
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Frost, John, 1626?-1656.
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1657
(1657)
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Wing F2246; ESTC R31718
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315,416
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365
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notions speculations and prepossessions as we shall finde it very hard afterwards to vail and submit to the simplicitie and truth of the Gospel Nay if the most pious practicall devout writings of men with which this age to the glorie of it abounds hinder our studie of Scripture it is our sin and provocation and a high disparagement of the word of God Nor indeed can we with the same confidence and securitie read them as being oft mixed with errour interest and inconsiderate zeal and those other imperfections which the frailtie of the best spirit betraies them to as waters though never so pure in the fountain will relish of that mine they run through as we may promise our selves from these Oracles of God penned by the unerring dictates and guidance of the Spirit of God It is well known what worth Luther's works are of yet he professeth Odi libros meos saepe opto interire quòd metuo nè morentur lectores abducant à lectione ipsius Scripturae quae sola omnis sapientiae fons est That he hated his own books and oft wished them perished lest they should be a means to withdraw men from the studie of the Scripture which is the onely fountain of true and saving wisdome 2. This should put every one of us upon the search and studie of Scripture Which that we may do successfully 1. Be much in prayer that 's the key to unlock these cabinets of precious jewels S. Augustine hath two remarkable stories to this purpose the one of Antonius the Hermite who was so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taught of God that he could though he knew not one letter fully understand and by heart repeat the whole Scripture the other of a certain servant converted from Heathenisme to Christianitie who triduanis precibus obtinuit codicem oblatum stupentibus qui aderant legendo percurreret by three days continuing in prayer had such revelations that to the admiration of the beholders he could read the whole Bible This is the course the Wiseman directs to Prov. 2. 3 4 5. If thou searchest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding c. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God This S. James exhorts to James 1. 5. If any man lack wisdome let him ask of God This David practised Open my eyes as he praies to God Psal 119. 18. that I may see wondrous things out of thy Law The Spirit is the best nay onely rerevealer and true interpreter of Scripture What is said of the Jews that when Moses is read the vail is upon their heart may be 2 Cor. 3. 15 16. Rev. 3. 16. said of every one who is not enlightned by the Spirit of God whose eyes are not anointed with this eye-salve a vail of flesh a vail of ignorance a vail of corruption is upon their hearts To think to discover the things of the Spirit without the Spirit is to dream of seeing without light now prayer is the way to come to the Spirit How shall not your heavenly Father saith Christ Luke 11. 13. give the holy Spirit to them that ask him 2. Avoid a proud and prying curiositie this darkens Scripture when men are not content to know what God would have revealed but wrest out of the Scriptures what was never intended in them These are those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which S. Peter speaks of 2 Pet. 3. 16. to whom he therefore saith the Scriptures are dark and obscure who play the Chymists with Scripture and as they endeavour to do with natural bodies extort that out of them which God and nature never put into them How have the forced Allegories obscure Cabbalas impertinent nice Criticismes obscured and darkned revealed truth which I am so charitable as to think rather Essays for exercising mens wits then for interpreting and clearing the Scripture I think it a good way to understand Scripture never to leave the literal sence unless when it is inconsistent and repugnant to the analogie of faith then we must seek a figurative else not as when Matt. 5. 29 30. we are commanded to pluck out our right eye and cut off our right hand which in the letter is repugnant to the command of not killing this must be interpreted figuratively of parting with our nearest and dearest corruptions which are as near and dear unto us as a right hand or a right eye 3. Resolve to practise what you read and understand in Scripture this is the reason men profit no more in the Scriptures they hear out of fashion and custome they read out of curiositie not conscience It is grace in the heart and obedience in the life which makes men fruitfull in Scripture-knowledge upon which the Apostle Peter grounds his exhortation 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. to adde to our faith virtue to virtue knowledge to knowledge temperance c. he subjoyns the reason v. 8 9. If these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall not be barren and unfruitfull in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ but he that lacketh these things is blinde The Turk writes upon the out-side of his Alkoran Let no man touch this book but he that is pure and the Philosopher gives this reason why a Arist lib. 1. Ethic. cap. 3. young man cannot be a profitable scholar in Moralitie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because guided by lust and passion and the Apostle gives the same reason why some were ever learning and could never come to the knowledge of the truth because they were led away by divers 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. lusts on the contrarie nothing improves knowledge more then holiness which David gives as an account of his knowledge Psal 119. 100. I understand more then the Ancients because I keep thy precepts 4. Be diligent in reading the Scriptures which was Pauls charge to Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 13. Give attendance to reading make it thy work and business God is not wanting to the diligent and constant searchers of Scripture When the Eunuch was reading the Prophet Esay God provides him an instructer sends Philip to Acts. 8. 9. him to teach him I shall end all this with the exhortation of S. Paul Coloss 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome and S. Peters conclusion of his Epistles 2 Pet. 3. 18. shall be the Conclusion of my Sermon Grow in grace and in the Scripture-knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever AMEN FINIS THESIS DE FIDE JUSTIFICANTE SUB RATIONE INSTRUMENTI Quam SUB PRAESIDIO ANTONII TUCKNEY S. T. D. Ac in eadem Professoris Regii Kalend. Julii 1656. in die Comitiorum CANTABRIGIAE Tuebatur JOANNES FROST Collegii D. Joannis ibidem Socius pro gradu Baccalaureatûs in Theologia CANTABRIGIAE Ex Officina Joannis Field Almae Academiae Typographi Anno Dom. MDCLVII ORNATISSIMO DIGNISSIMOQUE VIRO