Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	charity_n	faith_n	theological_a	1,167	5	12.5725	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59239	Of devotion By J. S.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1678 (1678)	Wing S2585A; ESTC R220098	48,774	178

care_n if_o such_o whirlwind_n and_o tempest_n turmoil_v this_o medium_n it_o will_v hazard_v to_o take_v the_o soul_n off_o the_o wing_n and_o throw_v she_o headlong_o to_o the_o earth_n wherefore_o if_o we_o intend_v a_o progress_n towards_o heaven_n by_o prayer_n we_o must_v first_o prepare_v a_o cheerful_a and_o unpassionate_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n ubi_fw-la pax_fw-la ibi_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_n where_o there_o be_v peace_n the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n the_o divine_a giver_n himself_o be_v not_o far_o absent_a at_o least_o there_o must_v be_v a_o steadiness_n in_o the_o soul_n be_v superior_a part_n or_o a_o full_a intention_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o all_o these_o passion_n for_o this_o lay_v first_o prayer_n itself_o will_v do_v the_o rest_n as_o shall_v be_v see_v hereafter_o §_o 5._o another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o consequent_o a_o encouragement_n to_o pursue_v it_o be_v that_o it_o include_v in_o itself_o at_o once_o all_o virtue_n not_o after_o a_o sluggish_a manner_n as_o they_o lie_v dormant_a as_o it_o be_v habitual_o in_o the_o soul_n but_o as_o they_o be_v consider_v in_o their_o most_o actual_a and_o best_a state_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o all_o virtue_n at_o once_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o those_o virtue_n we_o call_v moral_a be_v not_o at_o all_o meritorious_a and_o consequent_o not_o at_o all_o virtue_n but_o as_o they_o partake_v of_o that_o queen_n of_o virtue_n charity_n whosoever_o therefore_o have_v charity_n and_o consequent_o the_o two_o other_o theological_a virtue_n faith_n and_o hope_n have_v all_o the_o rest_n whence_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o love_n be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n §_o 6._o but_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o particular_n while_o we_o pray_v we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n in-many_a regard_n for_o we_o at_o once_o exercise_v our_o belief_n that_o god_n be_v the_o sovereign_a giver_n of_o all_o good_a and_o lord_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o be_v infinite_o wise_a to_o see_v the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n lay_v open_a then_o before_o he_o infinite_o powerful_a to_o accomplish_v all_o we_o can_v possible_o wish_v infinite_o good_a to_o admit_v we_o into_o his_o presence_n nay_o to_o exhort_v and_o even_o command_v we_o to_o come_v to_o he_o as_o also_o to_o bestow_v on_o we_o all_o that_o our_o condition_n and_o disposition_n can_v render_v we_o capable_a of_o infinite_o merciful_a to_o forgive_v all_o our_o sin_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o hearty_o repent_v and_o humble_o ask_v pardon_n again_o by_o our_o profound_a reverence_n we_o acknowledge_v and_o exercise_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o incomparable_a greatness_n and_o majesty_n by_o our_o submission_n and_o resignation_n of_o his_o wise_a providence_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o world_n last_o by_o our_o ask_n of_o he_o with_o due_a humility_n that_o he_o be_v our_o great_a creator_n we_o his_o poor_a indigent_a creature_n and_o mere_a nothing_o of_o our_o selus_fw-la also_o that_o he_o be_v our_o most_o liberal_a and_o bounteous_a benefactor_n infinite_o rich_a to_o supply_v and_o overflowing_o communicative_a of_o himself_o to_o relieve_v all_o our_o necessity_n so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v §_o 7._o again_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v our_o hope_n that_o he_o will_v hear_v our_o prayer_n and_o grant_v all_o we_o ask_v if_o we_o ask_v wise_o and_o humble_o that_o he_o will_v keep_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v we_o to_o that_o purpose_n that_o he_o will_v merciful_o pardon_v our_o sin_n protect_v we_o from_o danger_n and_o in_o a_o word_n as_o we_o use_v to_o phrase_n it_o that_o he_o will_v hear_v all_o our_o prayer_n which_o according_a to_o his_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o world_n aught_o to_o be_v second_v with_o performance_n §_o 8._o last_o while_o we_o pray_v we_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n of_o charity_n as_o it_o signify_v love_n of_o god_n by_o call_v upon_o he_o and_o look_v on_o he_o as_o a_o father_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a as_o endow_v with_o all_o those_o ravish_a quality_n which_o among_o we_o use_n to_o beget_v love_n such_o as_o be_v bounty_n kindness_n mercy_n tender_a compassion_n fidelity_n of_o word_n friendliness_n pure_a intellectual_a light_n infinite_a beautifulness_n to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o most_o of_o all_o as_o he_o be_v our_o chief_a and_o final_a our_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a good_a and_o our_o only_a bliss_n in_o who_o our_o soul_n must_v either_o for_o ever_o repose_v after_o all_o the_o fond_a toy_n of_o the_o world_n we_o so_o dote_v on_o leave_v we_o or_o else_o remain_v eternal_o miserable_a let_v we_o lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o then_o reflect_v how_o sublime_a a_o excellency_n be_v find_v in_o prayer_n which_o at_o once_o exercise_n and_o interior_o execute_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n all_o virtue_n at_o once_o sect_n ii_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v the_o actual_a fulfil_v all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o when_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n ask_v our_o bless_a saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n his_o answer_n be_v keep_v the_o commandment_n now_o if_o prayer_n be_v suppose_v it_o make_v as_o it_o ought_v the_o keep_v all_o the_o commandment_n nay_o a_o actual_a exercise_v they_o all_o at_o once_o then_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o vary_v the_o phrase_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n without_o alter_v his_o sense_n and_o to_o say_v if_o thou_o will_v have_v eternal_a life_n apply_v thyself_o to_o prayer_n and_o this_o be_v another_o excellency_n of_o prayer_n and_o a_o great_a one_o too_o that_o every_o time_n we_o exercise_v it_o we_o be_v exercise_v the_o fulfil_n all_o the_o commandment_n at_o once_o §_o 2._o to_o understand_v which_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o no_o external_n act_n be_v meritorious_a or_o demeritorious_a before_o god_n but_o as_o it_o spring_v from_o deliberate_a will_n or_o intention_n and_o though_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n command_n do_v exterious_o increase_v merit_n too_o yet_o it_o be_v because_o the_o intention_n itself_o be_v better_v or_o strengthen_v habitual_o to_o some_o degree_n by_o the_o outward_a exercise_n or_o because_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n perhaps_o to_o be_v overcome_v in_o the_o perform_v the_o outward_a action_n hence_o the_o intention_n to_o do_v this_o pursue_v resolute_o to_o a_o actual_a execution_n be_v better_a than_o else_o it_o will_v have_v be_v by_o the_o very_a conquer_a the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n a●_n we_o may_v say_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v a_o thing_n notwithstanding_o any_o difficulty_n occur_v be_v better_a than_o a_o intention_n simple_o to_o do_v it_o again_o the_o outward_a action_n increase_v our_o merit_n be-because_a it_o beget_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o hope_n in_o we_o that_o our_o inward_a intention_n be_v not_o a_o counterfeit_a one_o for_o the_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o have_v perform_v many_o such_o good_a deed_n especial_o if_o not_o do_v in_o the_o world_n eye_n and_o therefore_o not_o for_o its_o sake_n but_o for_o god_n will_v stand_v we_o in_o good_a stead_n at_o our_o last_o hour_n and_o strengthen_v our_o soul_n with_o hope_n and_o consequent_o with_o love_n which_o always_o go_v proportion_v to_o it_o when_o we_o be_v to_o appear_v before_o our_o great_a judg._n but_o abstract_v from_o these_o case_n and_o speak_v of_o outward_a action_n without_o any_o regard_n or_o rapport_v to_o the_o soul_n they_o be_v pure_o local_a motion_n or_o mere_o natural_a not_o moral_a one_o and_o so_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o merit_n or_o demerit_n wherefore_o put_v a_o intention_n to_o do_v any_o good_a as_o resolute_o bend_v to_o do_v it_o and_o to_o overcome_v all_o difficulty_n that_o may_v occur_v and_o to_o that_o degree_n of_o perfection_n as_o the_o other_o gain_v by_o extend_v itself_o to_o action_n last_o such_o as_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o heartiness_n and_o honest_a sincerity_n with_o other_o circumstance_n gain_v the_o same_o comfort_n to_o the_o soul_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v execute_v outward_o it_o be_v equal_o meritorious_a as_o the_o other_o insomuch_o that_o whosoever_o firm_o and_o resolute_o intend_v any_o good_a so_o that_o nothing_o need_v but_o a_o opportunity_n actual_o to_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n do_v already_o execute_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o before_o god_n as_o if_o he_o have_v perform_v it_o exterior_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o our_o b._n saviour_n say_v that_o the_o poor_a widow_n when_o she_o give_v a_o mite_n give_v more_o than_o all_o the_o rich_a vaunter_n for_o though_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o yet_o

alter_v a_o course_n direct_v by_o our_o best_a and_o clear_a reason_n for_o the_o suggestion_n of_o disorder_a fancy_n but_o if_o once_o those_o temptation_n can_v deceive_v a_o soul_n into_o these_o erroneous_a conceit_n first_o that_o all_o her_o prayer_n be_v fruitless_a and_o then_o harmful_a as_o be_v in_o her_o apprehension_n a_o kind_n of_o perpetual_a fault_n and_o such_o as_o she_o can_v mend_v for_o she_o find_v by_o experience_n she_o can_v do_v no_o better_o with_o all_o endeavour_n she_o can_v use_v she_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o leave_v it_o quite_o off_o and_o think_v it_o better_o not_o to_o pray_v at_o all_o than_o to_o continue_v to_o do_v ill_a and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o dangerous_a temption_n in_o the_o world_n both_o because_o it_o come_v mask_v in_o the_o vizard_n of_o virtue_n and_o so_o be_v apt_a to_o take_v with_o well-meaning_a soul_n which_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o it_o as_o also_o because_o devotion_n be_v the_o best_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o practice_v all_o christian_a duty_n and_o particular_o prayer_n which_o include_v in_o itself_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n it_o follow_v that_o a_o soul_n which_o thus_o abandon_v herself_o to_o sloth_n must_v needs_o languish_v away_o into_o a_o spiritual_a consumption_n and_o pine_o decay_v in_o those_o christian_a virtue_n which_o give_v life_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o without_o which_o the_o outward_a practice_n of_o other_o be_v but_o false_a appearance_n spring_v from_o material_a habit_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o ghost_n of_o true_a virtue_n §_o 4._o another_o weapon_n of_o great_a use_n in_o this_o kind_n of_o fight_n be_v this_o consideration_n that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a we_o merit_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n or_o serve_v and_o please_v he_o by_o continue_v our_o prayer_n when_o we_o be_v seize_v with_o this_o dryness_n and_o dulness_n and_o assault_v with_o distraction_n whereas_o we_o can_v be_v so_o certain_a of_o this_o when_o our_o prayer_n be_v accompany_v with_o satisfaction_n and_o delight_n the_o content_a take_v in_o sensible_a feel_n be_v so_o inbred_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n essential_a to_o a_o soul_n according_a to_o her_o inferior_a part_n or_o as_o she_o be_v the_o form_n of_o the_o body_n and_o this_o natural_a propension_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o delight_n so_o heighten_v in_o we_o by_o original_a corruption_n which_o still_o draw_v we_o from_o spirituality_n to_o sense_n that_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o adhere_v and_o cling_v to_o whatever_o be_v thus_o agreeable_a and_o this_o even_a in_o prayer_n itself_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o because_o nature_n so_o subtle_o seek_v its_o own_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v very_o hard_a when_o this_o sensible_a pleasingness_n accompany_v our_o prayer_n to_o discern_v whether_o we_o be_v not_o serve_v ourselves_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v serve_v god_n at_o least_o it_o often_o happen_v in_o this_o case_n of_o sensible_a delight_n that_o our_o easiness_n and_o promptness_n to_o apply_v ourselves_o frequent_o to_o act_n of_o prayer_n spring_v in_o part_n from_o our_o love_n of_o this_o pleasure_n which_o be_v a_o great_a alloy_n to_o the_o spirituality_n of_o devotion_n and_o to_o some_o degree_n taint_v the_o purity_n of_o our_o intention_n whence_o all_o spiritual_a master_n use_n to_o take_v great_a care_n that_o those_o soul_n who_o find_v sweetness_n in_o their_o prayer_n be_v not_o attach_v to_o it_o lest_o they_o fall_v into_o spiritual_a gluttony_n and_o depress_v the_o mind_n to_o sensible_a object_n by_o those_o very_a mean_n which_o shall_v raise_v it_o above_o they_o §_o 5_o now_o all_o this_o danger_n be_v secure_o avoid_v when_o our_o prayer_n be_v disgustful_a for_o however_o they_o seem_v to_o we_o sapless_a and_o dry_a yet_o we_o be_v sure_o the_o desire_n of_o please_v our_o inferior_a part_n or_o comply_v with_o our_o corrupt_a inclination_n have_v not_o any_o the_o least_o share_n in_o what_o we_o do_v but_o that_o the_o prayer_n and_o intention_n which_o as_o be_v say_v necessary_o go_v along_o with_o it_o in_o the_o superior_a part_n which_o only_o be_v spiritual_a remain_v altogether_o pure_a and_o untainted_a let_v then_o the_o soul_n which_o find_v little_a gust_n in_o prayer_n continue_v in_o the_o posture_n and_o circumstance_n of_o pray_v especial_o if_o the_o prayer_n be_v obligatory_a and_o in_o the_o material_a exercise_n of_o it_o at_o least_o vocal_o if_o she_o can_v do_v no_o more_o two_o comfort_n will_v ensue_v hence_o one_o that_o the_o merit_n of_o such_o prayer_n be_v secure_a every_o act_n of_o bear_v up_o against_o this_o dryness_n and_o the_o sloth_n to_o which_o it_o tempt_v be_v manifest_o a_o adhesion_n or_o cling_v to_o god_n with_o the_o superior_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o other_o be_v that_o the_o gain_v make_v by_o such_o continuance_n though_o it_o seem_v small_a come_v in_o clear_a there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v defalkt_v from_o its_o purity_n by_o the_o mixture_n of_o any_o motive_n spring_v from_o matter_n or_o body_n whereas_o general_o in_o good_a action_n perform_v by_o the_o middle_a sort_n of_o christian_n there_o go_v so_o much_o out_o to_o the_o inferior_a part_n that_o be_v to_o fancy_n and_o appetite_n that_o when_o the_o chaff_n come_v to_o be_v winnow_v from_o the_o pure_a corn_n there_o remain_v not_o so_o many_o grain_n of_o spirit_n as_o some_o apprehend_v it_o be_v very_o well_o if_o they_o escape_v with_o the_o abatement_n of_o half_a and_o after_o all_o the_o harvest_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n do_v but_o only_o seem_v small_a for_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v otherwise_o since_o of_o necessity_n the_o habit_n of_o adhere_v to_o god_n must_v be_v get_v by_o a_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o act_n so_o that_o the_o soul_n which_o faithful_o continue_v to_o struggle_v against_o the_o difficulty_n of_o prayer_n can_v fail_v at_o last_o to_o come_v to_o a_o facility_n of_o it_o so_o much_o the_o more_o to_o be_v value_v and_o endeavour_v by_o how_o much_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o alloy_n from_o the_o inferior_a part_n be_v manifest_o wrought_v out_o by_o the_o strength_n and_o predominancy_n of_o the_o superior_a §_o 6._o there_o be_v yet_o another_o comfort_n in_o this_o constancy_n and_o resolution_n which_o be_v that_o the_o not_o desert_v our_o devotion_n for_o want_n of_o sensible_a content_n but_o go_v steady_o on_o whatever_o we_o feel_v be_v a_o evident_a testimony_n or_o argument_n to_o the_o soul_n that_o she_o be_v as_o she_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o since_o she_o can_v act_v this_o to_o please_v nature_n to_o who_o grain_n it_o lie_v so_o cross_a it_o must_v of_o necessity_n proceed_v from_o a_o motive_n above_o nature_n that_o be_v a_o firm_a will_n and_o hearty_a desire_n to_o please_v god_n the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o must_v needs_o increase_v hope_n and_o if_o it_o be_v well_o lay_v to_o heart_n will_n in_o despite_n of_o the_o dryness_n and_o the_o scruple_n apt_a to_o ensue_v upon_o it_o produce_v that_o fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v call_v spiritual_a joy_n and_o such_o a_o solid_a peace_n of_o mind_n as_o the_o world_n can_v give_v §_o 7._o a_o soul_n which_o need_v more_o help_n in_o this_o kind_n may_v make_v use_n of_o some_o preparation_n to_o prayer_n such_o as_o may_v be_v most_o efficacious_a to_o fix_v her_o attention_n and_o keep_v her_o fancy_n from_o wander_a to_o which_o purpose_n she_o may_v a_o little_a reflect_v upon_o the_o importance_n of_o it_o and_o remember_v that_o happiness_n or_o misery_n and_o this_o for_o all_o eternity_n depend_v upon_o the_o disposition_n which_o she_o carry_v with_o she_o out_o of_o this_o life_n and_o that_o disposition_n on_o prayer_n which_o be_v the_o mean_n to_o procure_v it_o that_o so_o much_o time_n be_v allot_v to_o every_o one_o to_o work_v out_o his_o salvation_n as_o every_o one_o life_n and_o no_o more_o and_o that_o this_o time_n misspend_v can_v never_o be_v recall_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o life_n be_v only_o to_o fit_v we_o to_o pray_v well_o and_o if_o the_o time_n of_o prayer_n be_v fruitless_a our_o whole_a life_n be_v fruitless_a and_o irrecoverable_o lose_v that_o we_o can_v be_v dispose_v for_o heaven_n without_o time_n and_o the_o time_n of_o prayer_n be_v that_o wherein_o alone_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v this_o disposition_n shall_v be_v wrought_v wherefore_o if_o this_o time_n be_v lose_v at_o what_o other_o time_n can_v we_o hope_v to_o do_v that_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v we_o be_v miserable_a and_o yet_o can_v be_v do_v but_o at_o some_o time_n etc._n etc._n these_o and_o the_o like_a reflection_n such_o as_o we_o find_v most_o apt_a to_o work_v upon_o we_o may_v contribute_v much_o to_o the_o well_o