Selected quad for the lemma: word_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
word_n	honey_n	sweet_a	taste_n	2,974	5	10.2573	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64954	Vasanos alēthinē, the true touchstone which shews both grace and nature, or, A discourse concerning self examination, by which both saints and sinners may come to know themselves whereunto are added sundry meditations relating to the Lords Supper/ by Nathanael Vincent ...	Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697.	1681 (1681)	Wing V400; ESTC R8823	153,137	370

troubled at sensible evils because they are light for a moment and work for good if we are less taken with sensible good things and enjoy them as if we enjoyed and possess'd them not but things Spiritual and Eternal awaken our care and diligence indeed because we believe that these are infinitely of the nearest and greatest concernment 't is a sign that our grace and faith has some strength and that we resemble those Worthies who saw the invisible God and declared plainly that they sought a better Country than was to be found in this present World Heb. 11. 2. Then we grow in Grace when our senses are exercised to discern both good and evil This will prove us to be of a fuller age and that we are distinguished from such as are but Babes Heb. 5. 14. This discerning both good and evil does not only imply soundness of judgment to perceive what is truth and what is error that truth may be held fast and error under what form or disguise soever it comes may be rejected but seems to have some relation to the will and affections and the good that is to be chosen the evil that is to be refused When good things have a greater relish with us than formerly and Sin grows more and more distasteful this shews our Spiritual senses are improved Davids grace was much increased when he said How sweet are thy words to my taste yea sweeter than hony to my mouth Psal 119. 103. And v. 104. Through thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way 3. Then we grow in Grace when heart Sins are quickly observed at the very first rising of them and in a greater measure mortified When we are able to keep our hearts under our eye and to check them in their very first out-leaps from God and reduce them presently When pride and hatred and passion and envy cannot stir but they are instantly espied and beat down when lust and evil concupiscence are taken notice of at the first kindling and while in the spark without delay quenched this plainly shews the Spirit to be strong because it does prevail against the Flesh so quickly Grace is certainly grown when Sin is nipt in the bud the Cockatrice in the Egg is crushed 4. Then we grow in Grace when we are more weaned from the World The Patriarchs Abraham Isaac and Jacob were grown Believers and they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims upon Earth Heb. 11. 13. David also was thus got above the World when he said Surely every man walketh in a vain shew surely they are disquieted in vain he heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them Psal 39. 6. And v. 12. I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner as all my fathers were The World was so little and low in Moses's esteem that he prefers even affliction with the people of God before those pleasures which was but for a season Heb. 11. 25. And v. 26. he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt When the World is thus gotten under foot that the worst of Christ is prefer'd before the best of the World it argues strength of faith whereby our victory over it is so far advanced When we are undisturbed at changes we meet with here below because our treasure is in Heaven and out of reach when with the Apostle we know how to want and how to abound when we are not so much concerned about earthly things because they are not our portion this plainly speaks an increase of grace 5. Then we grow in Grace when we can readily deny our selves When we are not wedded to our own wills but are yielding and subject unto others being clothed with humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. and especially we submit unto God though his commands never so much cross our natural and carnal inclination when we can lay our Honour our Ease our Wealth our Liberty our Lives at the foot of Christ to be disposed of in such a way as He may be most magnified now certainly there is much of the Spirit of glory and of Gods resting upon us How self-denying how bold and venturous was the Apostle desiring that Christ might be magnified whether it were by life or by death Phil. 1. 20. It argues much Grace when the glory of God the Father and of Christ are dearer to us than our dearest earthly comforts and we count it gain to lose any thing for Christs sake Oh brave Hebrews who took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods knowing that they had in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 10. 34. 6. Then we grow in Grace when we trust in God though outward and visible helps do fail The Lord who made all the creatures though he uses means is not tied to them but can work without and against them therefore though outward props fail faith should not fail and if it be strong it does not Hab. 3. 17. 18. Although the Fig-trees shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the Vines though fields do yield no food and flocks are cut off from the fold yet will I joy in the Lord and rejoyce in the God of my Salvation The Creatures are insufficient altogether God alsufficient though alone and a strong faith dares trust him by himself Nay a strong faith will rely upon him and follow him notwithstanding repulses denials and discouragements Thus the Woman of Canaan holds on in petitioning our Lord though at first he was silent and answered not a word though he seemed not to regard the Disciples intercession though when he speaks to her he compares her to a Dog and not fit to eat the Childrens Bread yet she gives not over but retorts this discouragement and turns it into an argument The Dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their Masters Table hereupon her petition is granted and her faith highly commended O Woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt Mat. 15. 28. 7. Then we grow in Grace when the thoughts of God are more abiding and delightful and our affections towards him are stronger the more our hearts are the Lords the more they must needs be enriched with grace and in a greater measure sanctified When David was able to say that the meditation of God was sweet to him Psal 104. 34. That his Soul followed hard after God Psal 63. 8. and that he thirsted for God for the living God as the chased Hart pants after the Brooks of Water Psal 42. 1 2. This certainly did argue not only the truth of grace but strength also 8. Then we grow in Grace when we are not prone to be offended Stumbling argues weakness but stumbling blocks will be got over by those whose grace is strengthned When we hold fast the truth though many being led away with the error of the wicked fall from their own stedfastness as Athanasius contra mundum stood up for the Deity and Godhead of Jesus