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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
word_n	covenant_n	mouth_n	seed_n	3,950	5	9.5565	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A06810	Timothies taske: or a Christian sea-card guiding through the coastes of a peaceable conscience to a peace constant, and a crowne immortall. Wherein I. Pastors are put in minde of their double dutie, and how to discharge it. 1. Personall, as watchfull men. 2. Pastorall, as faithfull watchmen. II. True doctrine is advanced. III. Traditions discountenanced, & their rancour discovered. In two synodall assemblies at carliell, out of two seuerall, but sutable scriptures. This of I Timoth. 4.16. and that of Actes 20.28. Since concorporate, and couched with augmentation vnder their prime head: By Robert Mandevill, sometimes of Queenes Colledge in Oxford, and preacher of Gods word at Abbey-holme in Cumberland.	Mandevill, Robert, 1578-1618.; Vicars, Thomas, d. 1638.	1619 (1619)	STC 17245; ESTC S102562	61,931	80

Our Saviour saith of Iohn Baptist that he was a burning and shining candle It may bee a candle that hath neither warmth nor light but Iohn had both a shining heat and a burning light his light did shew others the way his heart did inflame them with desire of it That precept of Christs was not giuen in vaine and if it ought to be practised by any then of such chiefely who should resemble the things allotted to the Temples service which were double to those of ordinary vse Let your light so shine c. shine we must not so that wee be like the Lyzards which make prints with their feet and dash them out with their tailes but so that saying and doing wee adorne the doctrine of our Saviour Christ not so that Lapwing-like we cry there as if our affections were fixed aboue when yet they are fastned here below But so that in heart and affection we aspire whence wee speake as Paule did and his like not so that we shew miserable penurie in vnfruitfull plentie penurie of conscience in plentie of knowledge but so that by the light of life and learning as two bright lamps wee may goe before and guid others through this region of darknes into the land of light The words of the Apostles slew as sparkles out of the fornace of zealous hearts and their hearts were kindled with the fire of faith We also beleeue and therefore speake c. They make the best harmonie and the most shall dance to their pipes whose tongues and hearts are tied together whose precept and practise kisse each other Good trees bring forth more then leaues by their fruits yee shall knowe th̄e if we haue a voice to say this is the way and like Plinie's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 want feet to walke in it trees we may bee I say not good ones but like that withered one in the Gospell which was cursed by the breath of Gods own mouth The doues eye is an ornament to the Serpents head We must therefore be innocent aswell as wise for as wise innocency foresees and shunnes dangers so innocent wisdome fits vs to doe and suffer the will of our maker Ministers are sembled by starres which affect as some say those inferior things three waies by motion light and influence so they as fixed starres in the Churches firmament must by the influence of their lips Feed By the regular motion of their liues Confirme And by the light of both Inlighten many Those that giue precepts of militarie discipline require three things in a worthy leader skil vertue and authority 1. He must be skilfull not from report or reading onely as some tongue-tall captaines are but such a one as knowes well himselfe to order his army to protract and lengthen the warre or drawe on the enemie 2. He must haue vertue that like a true leader he may say of himselfe my souldiers I would haue you follow my deeds not my words the former of these fits him for direction the latter for execution and both iointly cast a reverend and awfull opinion vpon his person So in the manage of spirituall warres the Captaines must be men of skill because the Priests lips must preserue knowledge this knowledge must vtter it selfe by practise for whosoever hath not vertue is blind where the blind lead the blind leader and follower both fall into the ditch whereas knowledge followed with practise procures an authority and reverend esteeme amongst men which I will make my first motiue to induce this point How did S. Paul and his fellowes procure authority to themselues we saith he giue no offence in any thing that our Ministerie should not be reprehended Loquendi authoritas perditur quando vox opere non adiuvatur Iohn the Baptist was had in such esteeme that some thought he was the Christ. What great things did Iohn to purchase such appla●se happi● by some miracles hee wrought amongst them but Nullum signum fecit Iohn did no such things whereby to drawe the wonder of men on him it was onely his mortified and sober course of life which gained him this respect Holynesse of conversation concurring with the measure of his vnderstanding Timothy was a young man to whom the Apostle writes that no man should despise his youth this may seeme not to haue layne in his own power but the Apostle tells him how it may bee brought about even by covering greennesse of yeares with gravitie of carriage be vnto thē that beleeue an ensample in word in conversation in loue in spirit in faith and in purenesse Thus if his speech be gratious and powdered with salt if his life teach religion aswell as his learning if out of loue he doe all good offices to all men if besides the vse of an edifying lenity he haue spiritual fortitude to further Gods businesse if through faith he can conquer such difficulties as otherwise would weary him of well doing if an habituall puritie accompany adorne the rest Timothy though young shall neither expose his profession to contumely nor his owne person to contempt The growth of the Gospell is much hindred by our evill conversation because hereby we shut vp the kingdome of heauen against men for we neither goe in our selues nor suffer we them that are entering to goe in Frustra al●os in●itabit adpiè vivendum qui nullum prae se fert pietatis studiū The labour seemes lost and the paines to perish of such as would plant pietie in others and make the law of vnrighteousnesse his owne rule Mans affection by nature giues more credit to the eye then eare and the eyes of his vnderstanding like Iacobs sheepe too firmely fixed on such partie coloured obiects as say well and doe ill cause their affections to bring forth spotted fruits The Prophet brings in God to demand disdainfully in the Psalme with what face men of vncircumcised lips and liues dare presume to meddle with his mysteries But vnto the vngodly saith God why dost thou preach my lawes and takest my covenant in thy mouth whereas thou harest to be reformed hast cast my words behind thee He speakes not by way of advise or instructiō it is not meet that the vngodly should meddle with my ordinances c. Nor vseth he a simple prohibition let no vngodly man preach my law c. but with words of increpation and sharpe reproofe he shakes them saying Cur Why dost thou preach my laws c. Hee that steeps his tongue in religion and staines his life with gross transgressions that publisheth Gods law with his mouth and preacheth lewdnesse by his manners is like the Phisitian that should minister at once two contrary potions to his patient the one being soveraigne to prevent death the other deadly to take away life whereof the latter worser hath this advantage that the eyes fasten more firmely and stirringly on

no man despise youth in a Minister if it bee authorized with competent gifts for wisdome is the gray haires and an vndefiled life is the old age This Scripture doth branch it selfe into two parts 1. An advice or exhortation Take heed c. 2. A motiue or inducement inforcing the same For in so doing c. In the exhortation each word riseth into a head One doth opus imponere enjoyne a taske of attention or Christian watchfulnesse and that sollicite with a care circumspection Cave Take heed or attend An other points at the immediate obiect whereat this watch must begin and that ordinate orderly and answereable to the rule of Charitie which begins at home Cave tibi take heed to thy selfe The third doth onus apponere annexe a further charge of feeding others inferred by a necessary particle of connexion doctrinae and to learning The last toucheth the omission or intermission of this duty he must neither tyre nor retyre but manly march on and stoutly hold out to the last gaspe Permane in istis continue therein Thus Timothie is stirred vp and set on his way as Elias was foure times by the spirit First to a diligent warynesse and wary diligence lest while the husbandman sleepes the enemie come sowe tares amongst the wheate 2. To an eminent and more then ordinarie sanctitie of life for sedes prima and vitaima the best place and basest life sort not well together 3. To the care of a pastorall cure whereof Paul saith Quis idoneus ad haec who is fit for these things 4. To perseuerance in the good begun for he beginnes ill that goes not on therefore hauing put thy hand to the plough looke not backe behinde thee stands a pillar of salt The first thing is the care which Timothie must take or the watch he is to set The word imports in the originall a bent of mind an intention of will ioyn'd with a care and contention of the whole man that his workes warre not with his wordes and his deedes disgrace not his doctrine whence this collection may be made That vigilancie or heedfulnesse is a necessarie companion to all such as seriouslie commence a spirituall course chieflie to Pastors and Superintendents as Timothie was A doctrine which wants not the commendation of a threefold commoditie 1. It is a gratious preseruatiue against sinne deceiuing vs. 2. It is an antidote against troubles and crosse occurrences lest they vnsettle vs. 3. It instils strength and pith into all other duties and parts of Gods worship without which they be either wholly omitted or but hoverly done by which they are quickned cheered and well ouerseene These three things in their order handled you haue my purpose in this first head First it preserues against the deceits of sinne Watch and pray to begin with Christs owne speech lest you enter into temptation What other is the drift of the Prophets demand directing the whole Church in one mans person wherewith shall a young man clense his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word this seede is rife and many wher 's ranke sowen yet growes reformation but thinne and rare because little or no heed is taken of the stonie thornie and high-way hearers How often is attention commanded and commended vnto vs by our Sauiour against intemperancy and worldly cares by Saint Peter that the life breake not out into licenciousnes By the Authour to the Hebrewes that the heart with the seuerall affections may from time to time be held in awe What was Pauls counsell to the Corinthians hee that stands let him take heed lest he fall either it was the Apostles purpose to bring men into a needlesse feare or too much heed cannot be had But good men haue fallen Patriarkes Prophets Apostles yea better once then th● best of men the Angels kept not their first estate This Apostle writing to the same people wills them to watch and hee puts on the Thessalonians in the former Epistle lest they sleepe as others doe who were rockt in a cradle of deepe securitie By immoderate sleepe the humours of mans bodie are so dissolued that naturall heate is thereby much abated and in time quenched So fareth it with the drowsie and slouthfull soule wherein wicked thoughts being bred and multiplyed quench the heate of holy affections and so separate man from God Christ doth checke his heauy-headed Apostles Math. 26. 40. And those foolish girles fore-shewing the time of their preparation leaue a caveat to all that they spend not these houres in idle adoes which God hath giuen to gaine their blisse Of vapours that arise from the stomacke or heart say Physitians of the body and ascend vp into the the braine proceedes sleepe so the vapours foaming and reaking out of the secure and carnall heart send a spirituall slumber ouer the whole man as the Physitian of our soule infallibly defines Math. 15. Against which the wise man giues this prescription Keepe thine heart with all diligence for from thence commeth life Whereunto adde that of Paul in the latter to Timothy and it will adde great strength vnto our ward Evigila t● i● omnibus watch thou saith he not in some few onely giuing way to other nor in many omitting some nor in most passing by the rest but in all watch thou in all things A hard saying who can heare it What action is heere excluded What occasion is not meant What place can bee exempt Or who are the persons for whose presence wee ought discontinue or breake off our watch But to whom speakes the Apostle this A man meerely If so then watch in some things had beene enough and scarcely allowable but Timothie was more a man of God To whom speakes the Apostle this a Christian if so then watch in most things had beene enough and hardly tollerable but Timothie was more a guide to such to whom speakes the Apostle this some Angell if so then watch in all things were charge enough A taske best fitting those pure spirits which most approximate God in dignitie To Timothie then a keeper and teacher of his brethren in him to vs in vs to others is this precept giuen Let vs first amend in ourselues the contrarie securitie and so commend this duty to others But they must be motiues of no small moment that fasten such strictnesse on vs or them Take heed saith our Saviour Christ watch and pray for you knowe not when the time is Be sober and watch faith S. Peter the reason followes for your adversarie the Divell as a roaringly on walketh about seeking whom he may devoure Satan is an enemie and such an enemie as admits neither truce nor attonement The houre of Christs comming is vncertaine as vncertaine as is the onset of the theefe is it not then high time to take heed either that Lyon devoure vs or

doubtfulnesse and distrust The children of this world are wise in their generation amongst whom none haue beene found more wise more worldly then the Romish crew to support and prosper their avaritious and ambitious hopes Demetrius and the siluer-smiths haue gotten their goods by this craft therefore Diana of the Ephesians must bee great If the maide at Philippi be dispossessed of her divining spirit then farewell the hope of her Masters gaines Should not they then couer the light which otherwise would discouer them Is it reason they abiure such charmes as haue beene and still are of power to coniure wauering and vnstable spirits within the bounds of their Churches circle and cause them stoope to the lure of their insatiable lucre Quis nisimentis inops Were they not reasonlesse if they should not I say not onely willingly recept and receiue but as they doe ēxtort and steale such golden oblations Accipe nunc Danaum insidias crimine ab vno Disce ●m●es See heere the deceitfull dealing of these treacherous Graecians and by this one we may discerne the rest St Paul taught godlinesse to be great gaine but the Paules Popes of Rome haue since reversed or at least inverted that sentence by making gaine godlinesse and godlinesse a pretence vnder the covert and colour whereof they might with lesse suspition or if it were possible generall consent and conniuencie aspire to Satans stile that as D●us mundi supreme god of this world they might raigne and rule the same at will Thirdly he by an instance drawne from his owne person proueth mans obedience to labour with defect in this life and his perfection to be imperfect whom yet I suppose to haue beene perfecter then their lord god the Pope is They on the other side doe and ouer-doe they doe all commanded and that perfectly to satisfaction they ouer-doe so farre as to spare superfluities and ouerplus of oyle to supply the wants of such foolish Virgins as will buy at their rate of fiue kindes of righteousnesse that raigne in the world 1. The imaginarie iustice of some conceited ones 2. The ciuill carriage of men morally good 3. The glorious shew of counterfeite Israelites 4. The fained perfection of Popish professours 5. The sincere endeavour of true Nathanaelites the first in opinion is last in Gods acceptation and the last first but who they Avant selfe-soothing iust ones the wings of your hopes are clipt which letts you to soare you are not they Repent ciuill worldlings they were as honest as so who were but corrupt branches before they beleeued Howle yee hypocrites though you shine like glowormes yet haue you not that holinesse without which no man can see the Lord. Purge you purge you Romane Catharists the sounder and purer you seeme opinatiuely and in your owne conceit the more impure and dangerously sicke you are He was purer and perfecter then so who was pained and complained Miser homo O wretched man c. His wayes were likewise directer then yours yet not so direct as was deseruedly wished that he could fully and perfectly keepe whereof you notwithstanding falsely boast Gods righteous iudgments God alone is that light which admits no mixture of darkenesse but if any man say that he hath no sinne hee sinnes so saying deceiues himselfe depriues his soule of pardon his conscience of true peace and turnes the truth of God into a lie which saith that in many things wee offend all the most renewed in many the vnregenerate in all For your ouer-deeds they exile you by an Ostracisme from the common-weale wel-fare of Gods Israel They are therefore but fig-leaues wherewith you labour to couer your owne and others nakednesse and the more you couer the more you discouer the guides which haue misled you namely nature and tradition It is a carnall conceit bred and brought vp in the wombe of our corruption I haue observed all these things from my youth And where humane edicts stand for diuine statutes men may easily ouer-weene The gate is straite that leades to life whereat tradition can not enter it is so fraught with that which God requires not the way likewise thereto is narrow which nature through blindnes cannot finde for except a man be borne againe c. Reioyce true Christians though you cannot doe through frailtie that good which ye would through Gods grace your defects are couered your desires shal be accepted the good ye would doe shal be imputed the euill you ha●e and through strength of corruption or violence of temptation are haled to shal be discharged seeing there is no condemnation to them though the reliques of sinne remaine in them that are in Christ. St Paul commanded euery soule to be subiect vnto the higher powers the reason because there is no power but of God They arme subiects against their lawfull Soueraignes They commaunde the slaughter of Christian Kings as an act meritorious and Canonize the agents for Saints such seede they cast into the Lords field such tares are sowne by the man of sinne and his Emissaries Such is the salt wherewith the falsely surmised Peter of Rome or rather the salt-Peter wherewith wrought to the temper of their sierie passions they haue attempted to blow vp States How is the faithfull Citie become an harlot it was full of iudgement and iustice lodged therein but now they are murtherers Her faith is turned into infidelitie her piety into aspiring policy her profession into faction her godlines into ga●ne so that where the seed was vncorrupt the soile once good Infaelix lolium steriles dominātur avenae By reason hereof that they consent not to the wholesome words of the Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according vnto godlines What for want of good seed the word partly taught what for excesse of darnell their owne additions so many monstrous births are brought forth by the whoore of Babylon the purple harlot which opens her quiuer to euery arrow Add to her wresting and misconstruction of Scriptures this further that she doth Noua pascua quaerere amnes Gadd after and guide her louers to other pastures and streames then that greene pasture wherein Dauid fed those still waters which refreshed him chusing rather to bathe in the puddle of her owne inventions then to wash in Bethesda Gods poole delighting more to defile her selfe with the one then with the Syrian Leper to be clensed by the other Whose impudencie is such that out of Luciferian pride of spirit incident to none but the Antichrist she challengeth to be heard before the Scriptures whose impiety is so great that she dare speake where they command silence and that vpon paine of the greatest paine that God can impose Why did St Paul send this Epistle to Timothie left at Ephesus about the Lords businesse since it containes