Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	darkness_n	light_n	shine_v	1,307	5	9.6147	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54026	Concerning persecution: which is, the afflicting or punishing that which is good, under the pretence of its being evil. Which practice is contrary to the very nature of mankind (so far as it is drawn out of the corruption and depravation) which would be good and do good, and have good cherished, and evil suppressed, both in it self and others. ... Yet this unhappy error will always be committed in nations and governments, until the proper right and just liberty of men's consciences be discerned, acknowledged and allowed. Likewise, there are some answers given to that common objection, against affording conscience in its due liberty, because evil persons may pretend conscience to escape the just punishment of their evil deeds. With a brief account of that supposed stubbornes, which by man is objected against the people called Quakers. ... By Isaac Penington the younger.	Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.	1661 (1661)	Wing P1156; ESTC R214723	23,798	32

judge him for differing either in Apprehensions or Practices about Worship much lesse persecute him therefore But that man who is of a prophane spirit or comes easily by his Religion even by the wisdom industry and parts of man and not by the gift of God and is exercised in that Fear of God which is taught by the Precepts of men but knoweth not that Fear which God puts in the heart from whence the true Religion and Worship springs either of these may be drawn to persecute yea indeed it will be hard for either of them to abstain there-from 2. By meckness of spirit The Gospel makes meek tender gentle peaceable fills with love and sweetness of spirit teacheth to love to forgive to pray for and bless enemies and how shall this man persecute Can a Lamb persecute Can a Dove persecute Indeed a Wolf in Sheeps clothing may raven and devour but a true sheep cannot As the power of the Gospel is known the devouring and persecuting nature is destroyed and that being taken away Persecution soon comes to an end 3. By a sober and patient consideration of their cause whom they persecute and what it is in themselves which moves them to persecute them The strength of Persecution lies in the darknes in the dark thoughts mis-judgings and misapprehensions about him whom one persecutes or is inclined to persecute in prejudices and false judgements of Persons and things received which by a sober hearing and considering of things in God's fear and in meekness might be removed and then the eager Persecuting heat of spirit would soon abate and fall the fewel which kindled it being taken away The Jews stopped their ears and ran upon Stephen Acts. 7. 57. This is the way of persecuting spirits They take in prejudices against persons their Principles and Practices stop their ears against what may be said to manifest either the equity of the thing in its self or their mistake about it and then run headlong in their fury of persecuting and devouring But he that is sober and considerate and weighs the cause before he engages against it and observes what it is in him which moves so hotly against another and which is so ready to believe ill aforehand he shall soon see that which is always hid from the eye of the Persecutor and find water to cast on this devouring fire of spirit in him 4. By a righteous frame of spirit which is willing to do by another as he would be done to in the like case Persecution ariseth from unrighteousness and selfishness righteousness and true equity would soon end it If no man would make another man's Conscience bow by force who would not have his own so bowed Persecution would soon cease But this is the great evil and unrighteousness of man whoever is uppermost thinks he hath right to bow all the rest under him and looks upon them as guilty and offenders if their Consciences do not yield and bow under him And he that newly complained of the load laid on his Conscience by others yet if he can get ease and power into his hand is presently laying a load upon others Here is a wrong frame of spirit within and how can it chuse but bring forth injury and Persecution outwardly 5. By taking heed and watching against the corrupt and carnal Principle with the reasonings self-ends and interests thereof and hearkening to the Principle of God which teacheth and speaketh right Reason Man as he came from God and was by especial favour formed in His Image So it pleased God to place in him a Principle of His own Life to govern him This Image was defaced by the fall and this Principle forfeited yet for Christ's sake who is the Saviour of all men but especially of them that believe the Lord stirreth up and visiteth all mankind more or less by the pure eternal Principle of His own Light and Life in Christ In hearkening to this man's reason is rectified purified and preserved pure and his steps here are safe But consulting and contriving out of this he meets with that which corrupts him captivating and mis-byassing his reason and then all his intents designes and contrivances become corrupt and tend not onely towards the prejudice of others at present but also to his own loss and detriment in the issue He therefore that would be safe in the enjoyment of any blessing which he hath received from God and faithful in doing him service in his generation must know what of himself is ready to betray him that he may watch against it and turn from it and what in himself is given him of God to enlighten guide instruct and preserve him that he may hearken thereto and be made happy thereby 11. And Lastly To set it yet more home upon all that are ingenuous and would be worthy and noble and do that which is worthy and noble abhorting cruelty afflicting and oppressing of others let them consider the fruits and effects of Persecution which are very many and of the worst kind even sutable to the nature of the root At present I shall onely mention these four 1. In a great degree it hindreth the growth of the present good in every age and generation so far as the earthly power or sword of the Magistrate can well hinder Persecution of that which is good by the earthly Powers in its proper tendency is an hinderance to the growth thereof in their age and day though the Lord can overbear the malignity of it and further the growth of his Seed thereby 2. It wholly tends towards hindring the shooting up of any further seeds of good which God hath to saw in the earth For all the seeds of good which God hath to sow in the earth at first they are looked upon as evil until by God's blessing upon them and opening of mens eyes through the much suffering of those vessels in whom God causeth the most excellent seeds of his virtue and goodness first to appear their innocency and beauty begins at length to shine in mens eyes and be discerned 3. It occasioneth the growth of evil For good withstandeth opposeth and chaseth away evil even as light doth darkness and therefore the preventing of the springing up of the good is a cherishing and strengthening of the evil Besides the same Spirit Government or Power which persecuteth and keepeth down the good under a pretence of its being evil cannot chuse but also cherish and nurse up the evil under a pretence of its being good For the same eye tongue and heart that seeth calleth and acknowledgeth that which is indeed good to be evil cannot chuse but also mistake the evil and think it good 4. It draweth down the wrath of God upon People Powers and Governments where such persecution is where the evil is cherished under a pretence of its being good and the good endeavoured to be suppressed under a pretence of its being evil If men from their hearts do acknowledge the