Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	faith_n	lord_n	temperance_n	848	5	10.7366	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34242	The confession of faith ; and, The larger and shorter catechism first agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and now approved by the General Assembly of the kirk of Scotland to be a part of uniformity in religion between the kirks of Christ in the three kingdoms.; Westminster Confession of Faith.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663. Summe of saving knowledge.; Church of Scotland. General Assembly.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Larger catechism.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Shorter catechism.	1671 (1671)	Wing C5769; ESTC R27273	112,419	253

before men saith he that they may see your good works 2. He induceth them so to do by shewing that albeit they be not justified by works yet spectators of their good works may be converted or edified and so glory may redound to God by their good works when the witnesses thereof shall glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 3. He gives them no other rule for their new obedience than the Moral Law set down and explicated by Moses and the Prophets Think not saith he that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets 4. He gives them to understand that the Doctrine of grace and freedom from the curse of the Law by faith in him is readily mistaken by mens corrupt judgment as if it did loose or slaken the obligation of believers to obey the commands and to be subject to the authority of the Law and that this error is indeed a destroying of the Law and of the Prophets which he will in no case ever endure in any of his Disciples it is so contrary to the end of his coming which is first to sanctifie and then to save believers Think not saith he that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets 5. He teacheth that the end of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace is to procure mens obedience unto the Moral Law I am come saith he to fulfil the Law and the Prophets 6. That the obligation of the Moral Law it● all points unto all holy duties is perpetual and shall stand to the worlds end that is till Heaven and Earth pass away 7. That as God hath a care of the Scriptures from the beginning so shall he have care of them still to the Worlds end that there shall not one jot or one title of the substance thereof be taken away so saith the Text v. 11. 8. That as the breaking of the Moral Law and defending the transgression thereof to be no sin doth exclude men both from Heaven and justly also from the fellowship of the true Kirk so the obedience of the Law and teaching others to do the same by example counsel and doctrine according to every mans calling proveth a man to be a true believer and in great estimation with God and worthy to be much esteemed of by the true Church v. 19. 9. That the righteousness of every true Christian must be more than the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees for the Scribes and Pharisees albeit they took great pains to discharge sundry duties of the Law yet they cutted short the exposition thereof that it might the less condemn the practice they studied the outward part of the duty but neglected the inward and spiritual part they discharged meaner duties carefully but neglected judgment mercy and the love of God In a word they went about to establish their own righteousness and rejected the Righteousness of God by faith in Jesus But a true Christian must have more than all this he must acknowledg the full extent of the spiritual meaning of the Law and have a respect to all the Commandments and labour to cleanse himself from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit and not lay weight upon what service he hath done or shall do but cloath himself with the imputed righteousness of Christ which only can hide his nakedness or else he cannot be saved So saith the Text Except your righteousness c. The second thing requisite to evidence true Faith is that the believer endeavour to put the rules of Godliness and Righteousness in practice and to grow in the daily exercise thereof holden forth 2 Pet. 1.5 ANd besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge ver 6. And to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness ver 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity ver 8. For if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barre● nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ. Wherein 1. The Apostle teacheth believers for evidencing of pious faith in themselves to endeavour to add to their faith seven other sister graces the first is Vertue or the active exercise and practice of all Moral duties that so faith may not be idle but put forth it self in work The second is Knowledge which serveth to furnish Faith with information of the truth to be believed and to furnish Vertue with direction what duties are to be done and how to go about them prudently The third is Temperance which serveth to moderate the use of all pleasant things that a man be not cloged therewith nor made unfit for any duty whereto he is called The fourth is Patience which serveth to moderate a mans affections when he meeteth wi●h any difficulty or unpleasant thing that he neither weary for pains required in well doing nor faint when the Lord chastiseth him nor murmur when he crosseth him The fifth is Godliness which may keep him up in all exercises of Religion inward and outward whereby he may be furnished from God for all other duties which he hath to do The sixth is Brotherly kindness which keepeth estimation of and affection to all the houshold of Faith and to the image of God in every one wheresoever it is seen The seventh is Love which keepeth the heart in readiness to do good to all men whosoever they be upon all occasions which God shall offer 2. Albeit it be true that there is much corruption and infirmity in the godly yet the Apostle will have men uprightly endeavouring and doing their best as they are able to joyn all these graces one to another and to grow in the measure of exercising of them giving all diligence saith he add to your saith c. 3. He assureth all professed believers that as they shall profit in the obedience of this direction so they shall Profitably prove the soundness of their own faith and if they want these graces that they shall be found blind deceivers of themselves ver 9. The third thing requisite to evidence true faith is that obedience to the Law run in the right channel that is through faith in Christ c. holden forth 1 Tim. 1.5 NOw the end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of saith unfaigned Wherein the Apostle teacheth these seven Doctrines 1. That the obedience of the Law must flow from love and love from a pure heart and a pure heart from a good Conscience and a good conscience from Faith unfaigned this he maketh the only right channel of good works the end of the Law is Love c. 2. That the end of the Law is not that men may be justified by their obedience of it as the Jewish Doctors did falsly teach for it is impossible that sinners can be justified by the Law who for every transgression are condemned by the Law for the end of the Law is

are not justified untill the holy spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified and although they can never fall from the state of justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods fatherly displeasure and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves confess their sins beg pardon and renew their Faith and Repentance VI. The justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Testament CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALl those that are justified God vouchsafeth in and for his only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of Adoption by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and priviledges of the children of God have his Name put upon them c receive the spirit of Adoption have access to the throne of grace with boldness are inabled to cry Abba Father are pitied protected provided for and chastned by him as by a Father yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting Salvation CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification THey who are effectually called and regenerated having a new heart a new spirit created in them are further sanctified really personally through the vertue of Christs death resurrection by his word and spirit dwelling in them the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more more weakned and mortified and they more and more quickned and strengthned in all saving graces to the practice of true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man yet imperfect in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh III. In which war although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate part doth overcome so the Saints grow in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of God CHAP. XIV Of saving Faith THe grace of Faith whereby the Elect are inabled to believe to the saving of their Souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word by which also and by the administration of the Sacraments and Prayer it is increased and strengthned II. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word for the authority of God himself speaking therein and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yielding obedience to the Commands trembling at the threatnings and imbracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come But the principal acts of saving faith are Accepting Receiving and resting upon Christ alone for Justification Sanctification and Eternal life by vertue of the Covenant of grace III. This faith is different in degrees weak or strong may be often and many waies assailed and weakned but gets the victory growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ who is both the Author and finisher of our Faith CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto life REpentance unto life is an Evangelical grace the doctrine whereof is to be Preached by every Minister of the Gospel as well as that of Faith in Christ II. By it a sinner out of the sight and sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins as contrary to the holy nature and righteous Law of God and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent so grieves for hates his sin● as to turn from them all unto God purposing endeavoring to walk with him in all the waies of his Commandments III. Although Repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof which is the act of Gods free grace in Christ yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation on those who truly repent V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance but it is every mans duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof upon which and the forsaking of them he shall find mercy so he that scandalizeth his brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publick confess●on and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to th●se that are offended who are thereupon to be recon●●●ed to him and in love to receive him CHAP. XVI Of good Woorks GOod Works are onely such as God hath commanded in his holy Word and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal or upon any pretence of good intention II. These good works done in obedience to Gods Commandments are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness strengthen their assurance edifie their Brethren adorn the profession of the Gospel stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are created in Christ Jesus thereunto that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit of Christ And that they may be inabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the

Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland The sum of Saving knowledge may be taken up in these four hea●s 1. The woeful condition wh●r●in all men are by nature through breaking of the Covenant of Works 2. The R●medy pr●vided for the Elect in Iesus Christ by the Covenant of Grace 3. The means appointed ●o make them part●kers of this Covenant 4. The blessi●gs which are effectually conv●yed unto the Elect by these means Which four heads are set down each of them in some f●w Propositions HEAD 1. Our woful condition by nature through breaking the Covenant of Works Hos. 13 9. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self THe Almighty and Eternal God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost three di●tinct persons in one and the same undivided God-head equally in●inite in all perfections did before time most wisely decree for his own glory whatsoever cometh to pass in time and doth most holily and infallibly execute all hi● Decrees without being partaker of the sin 〈◊〉 any creature II. This God in six days made all things 〈◊〉 nothing very good in their own kind in special● he made all the Angels holy and he mad● our first Parents Adam and Eve the root 〈◊〉 mankind both upright and able to keep the Law written in their heart Which Law the●● were naturally bound to obey under pain 〈◊〉 death but God was not bound to reward thei● service till he entered in a Covenant or Contract with them and their posterity in them to give them eternal life upon condition of perfect personal obedience withal threatning death in case they should fail This is the Covenant of Works III. Both Angels and Men are subject to the change of their own free-will as experience proveth God having reserved to himself the incommunicable property of being naturally unchangeable For many Angels of their own accord fell by sin from their first estate and became Devils our first Parents being inticed by Satan one of these Devils speaking in a serpent did break the Covenant of Works in eating the forbidden Fruit whereby they and their posterity being in their loins as branches in the root and comprehended in the same Covenant with them became not only lyable to eternal death but also lost all ability to please God yea did become by nature enemies to God and to all spiritual good and 〈◊〉 lined only to evil continually This is our original sin the bitter root of all our actual transgressions in thought word and deed HEAD II. The remedy provided in Jesus Christ for the Elect by the Covenant of Grace Hos. 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help ALbeit man having brought himself into this woeful condition be neither able to ●elp himself nor willing to be helped by God ●ut of it but rather inclined to ly still unsen●●●le of it till he perish yet God for the glory ●f his rich Grace hath revealed in his Word ●way to save sinners to wit by faith in Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God by vertue of ●nd according to the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption made and agreed upon between God the Father and God the Son in the counsel of the Trinity before the World began II. The sum of the Covenant of Redemption is this God having freely chosen unto life a ●ertain number of lost mankind for the glory ●f his rich Grace did give them before the world began unto God the Son appointed Redeemer that upon condition he would humble ●imself so far as to assume the humane natur●●f a soul and body unto personal union with ●is Divine Nature and submit himself 〈…〉 Law as surety for them and satisfie Justice for them by giving obedience in their name even unto the suffering of the cursed death of the Cross he should ransom and redeem them all from sin and death and purchase unto them righteousness and eternal life with all saying graces leading thereunto to be effectually by means of his own appointment applyed in due time to every one of them This condition the Son of God who is Jesus Christ our Lord did accept before the world began and in the fulness of time came into the World was born of the Virgin Mary subjected himself to the Law and compleatly payed the ransome on the Cross but by vertue of the foresaid bargain made before the World began he is in all ages since the fall of Adam still upon the work of applying actually the purchased benefits unto the elect and that he doth by way of entertaining a Covenant of free grace and reconciliation with them through faith in himself which Covenant he makes over to every believer a right and interest to himself and to all his blessings III. For the accomplishment of this Covenant of Redemption and making the Elect partakers of the benefits thereof in the Covenant of Grace Christ Jesus was clad with the three●old Office of Prophet Priest and King Made a Prophet to reveal all saving knowledge to his people and to perswade them to believe and 〈◊〉 the same Made a Priest to offer up himself a sacrifice once for them all and to interceed continually with the Father for making their persons and services acceptable to him And made a King to subdue them to himself to feed and rule them by his own appointed Ordinances and to defend them from their enemies HEAD 3. The outward means appointed to make the Elect partakers of this Covenant and all the rest that are called to be inexcusable Mat. 22.14 Many are called THe outward means and ordinances for making men partakers of the Covenant of Grace are so wisely dispenced as the Elect ●hall be infallibly converted and saved by them and the Reprobate among whom they are not be justly stumbled The means are specially these four 1. The Word of God 2. The Sacraments 3. Kirk Government ● Prayer In the Word of God preached by ●ent Messengers the Lord makes offer of Grace to all sinners upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ and whosoever do confess their sin accept of Christ offered and submit themselves to his Ordinances he will have both them and their children received into the honour and priviledges of the Covenant of Grace By the Sacraments God will have the Covenant sealed for confirming the bargain on the foresaid condition By Kirk Government he will have them ●edge in and help foreward unto the keeping of the Covenant And by Prayer he will have his own gl●rious Grace promised in the Covenant to be daily drawn forth acknowledged and imployed All which means are f●llowed either really or in profession only according to the quality of the Co●enanters as they a●e true or counter●it believers II. The Covenant of Grace set down in the Old Testament before Christ came and in the New since he came is one and the same in substance albeit different in outward administration for the Covenant in the Old Testament being sealed with the Sacraments of Circumcision and the