Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	knowledge_n	lord_n	temperance_n	1,588	5	11.7145	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13281	The sweet milke of Christian doctrine in a plaine and naturall method, by question and answere, for their better vnderstanding, for whom it is chiefly written.	Sym, John.	1617 (1617)	STC 23585; ESTC S106181	11,515	34

THE Sweet Milke Of CHRISTIAN Doctrine In a plaine and naturall Method by Question and Answere for their better vnderstanding for whom it is chiefly written 1. PET. 2.2 As new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that you may grow thereby LONDON Printed by George Purslowe for Iohn Hodges 1617. To my VVelbeloued friends and Neighbours the inhabitants and people of Leigh in Essex grace mercy and peace be multiplied from God the Father through our Lord IESVS CHRIST ** AS there is not anie one thing whereof he that is in hand to build any great and magnificent building should bee more carefull then that he do lay the foundatiō therof firm and sure otherwise he shall not only lose his cost and trauell spent about it but also endanger his life in it by the vnexpected tumbling of it downe vpon his head so likewise that Christian who would so build vp and reare the great and lusty frame of the work of his saluation that hee may not in the end both lose his labour and charges and also himselfe bee crushed vnder it and vtterly perish by the dreadful fall thereof as it befell to him who built his house vpon the sand Math. 7.27 hath need to look to lay the foundation thereof certaine sure and proportionable in the vndeceiuable and steady principles grounds of Christianitie which doe virtually comprehend and sustaine the huge and weighty burden of the whole building of religion wherin he doth repose himselfe Which grounds though they ly low in the building are not therefore the more to be neglected or dispised of any but rather the more to be regarded and carefully preserued for the necessary vse and aboundant profit which thence doth arise to a sound Christian for this foundation beeing once well layd and continued it is a strong fortresse against errour and heresie for though a man be not so expert in the Scripture as to know the true and naturall meaning of all the texts thereof yet may he boidly reiect that doctrine 2. Ioh. 10 which doth not proportionably agree with the frame and analogie of faith Rom. 12.6 summarily comprised in the grounds of religion for the simple truth comming all from the same Spirit cannot bee contradictorie to it selfe Againe by the knowledge of the principles of religion a good Christian may be both an vnderstanding and iudicious Reader and hearer of the word for there is not any truth deliuered cōcerning our saluation which he may not plainly see both to arise from and agree with some of the grounds and principles of religion whereunto he may referre it for the truth is vniforme Finally a man furnished with the sound vnderstanding of these grounds 1. Pet. 3.15 2. Tim. 2.2 is able to render a good and sufficient reason of his faith and to informe and establish others in the same things not confusedly only in some good notes here and there scatteringly gathered but orderly and with iudgement in the whole frame of Christian Religion briefly compact in one intire bodie Further that these Principles of Religion should bee set downe by way of Question and Answer it is without questiō the most profitable way for the simpler sort of people the which course of catechising is both largely cōmended by the learned and straightly vrged by authority of which kind of teaching there be models and methods almost infinite which in my iudgement is not to be blamed as a vice but rather commended as a vertue when they doe all agree in the same substance of truth though differ in the manner of contriuing and handling thereof according to the variety and multiplicity of the gifts of Gods Spirit 1. Cor. 12.4 for therby a more irrefragable testimony is publikely giuen to the truth when all writings apert and after seuerall maners doe all agree in one and the same verity And whereas the disposition manners and opinions of seueral people in seueral places and ages do differ for the rectifying thereof these seuerall and differing formes and methods of teaching are wel by Gods prouidence fitted Now seeing that after that Catechifme set downe in the book of Common praier whereby children are prepared for confirmation wee are not by authority tied only to vse al any one certaine form of Catechism for the edification of them of riper yeeres therefore taking the benefit of that common liberty for the further building vp of that part of Gods Church committed to my charge I doe by the long and earnest importunity of many of you my louing friends to whō I am not onely willing cheerefully to impart my trauels 1. Thes 2.8 but euen also mine owne selfe for your good suffer this briefe and plaine draight to be wrung from me to come abroad amongst multitudes of the same nature not hereby to finde fault with or disparage any of them but that thereby with my greater ease I may the better benefit and helpe you both by catechising and preaching for when both catechising and preaching come framed out of the same mould the one orderly agreeing with the other the one doth both confirme and illustrate the other to the hearers as when the foundation and walls of a house are both of one proportion it is most strong and sightly and also the Church being by this little publike taste satisfied and contented touching the same doctrine Gal. 2.9 which you are ordinarily taught in priuate her approbation and allowance thereof may bee a strong motiue to cause you the more to regard it for my part I haue no greater ioy then that you walke in the truth 3. Ioh. 4 Take this as a fore-runner and pledge of a larger Treatise which some of you haue much expected to wit the body of practicall and case diuinity which longer time by further experience and study must first better perfect and polish In this method I haue sought to be both short and plaine for to helpe the memorie and vnderstanding of the meanest amongst vs the proofes I haue quoted with the Answeres the words whereof I pray you to search for the benefit both of your selues and families that your faith being built not vpon mans word but Gods 2. Tim. 1.12 it may remaine sure knowing whom you haue beleeued And so I pray you my good friends giue all diligence to make your calling and election sure 2. Peter 1.10 5 by adding vnto your faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance to temperance patience to patience godlinesse to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse to brotherly kindnesse loue and so being careful that both you and yours bee fearers of the Lord Psal 115.11 12 13 14. you may be assuredly perswaded that God will be your helpe and shield he will blesse you both great and small the Lord wil increase you more more you and your children as hee hath done your vertuous forefathers in this place who haue proued it true that Godlinesse is great