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word_n proper_a sense_n signification_n 2,806 5 9.7840 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26810 Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God / by William Bates ... Bates, William, 1625-1699. 1699 (1699) Wing B1128; ESTC R4307 200,199 485

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which_o he_o have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o in_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n he_o be_v infinite_o jealous_a of_o our_o transfer_v they_o to_o the_o creature_n our_o high_a adoration_n and_o esteem_n our_o confidence_n and_o trust_n our_o love_n and_o complacency_n our_o dependence_n and_o observance_n be_v entire_o and_o essential_o due_a to_o he_o who_o in_o the_o heaven_n can_v be_v compare_v to_o the_o lord_n who_o among_o 6._o the_o son_n of_o the_o mighty_a can_v be_v liken_v to_o he_o who_o have_v i_o in_o heaven_n but_o thou_o 25._o and_o there_o be_v none_o upon_o earth_n i_o desire_v in_o comparison_n of_o thou_o the_o lord_n be_v my_o portion_n 11._o say_v my_o soul_n the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o strong_a tower_n the_o righteous_a fly_n to_o it_o and_o be_v safe_a behold_v as_o the_o eye_n of_o servant_n look_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o master_n so_o our_o eye_n wait_v upon_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n until_o he_o have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o these_o 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hence_o it_o appear_v how_o this_o comprehensive_a sin_n be_v injurious_a to_o god_n the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o covetous_a be_v not_o only_o the_o object_n of_o god_n anger_n but_o abhorrence_n thus_o he_o brand_v they_o the_o covetous_a who_o the_o lord_n abhor_v the_o word_n be_v of_o the_o most_o heavy_a signification_n if_o his_o lovingkindness_n be_v better_a than_o life_n his_o hatred_n be_v worse_a than_o death_n it_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a in_o person_n of_o all_o condition_n civil_a and_o sacred_a this_o bribe_v those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o seat_n of_o judgement_n to_o clear_v the_o guilty_a and_o which_o be_v a_o bold_a crime_n to_o condemn_v the_o innocent_a of_o this_o there_o be_v record_v a_o cruel_a and_o bloody_a instance_n in_o the_o death_n of_o naboth_n occasion_v by_o ahab_n covetousness_n this_o corrupt_v the_o preacher_n of_o the_o word_n to_o speak_v to_o the_o lust_n not_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n upon_o who_o they_o have_v a_o servile_a dependence_n and_o as_o the_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n be_v never_o more_o the_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n than_o under_o the_o appearance_n of_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n so_o his_o minister_n be_v never_o more_o his_o minister_n than_o when_o they_o pervert_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o support_v sinful_a practice_n by_o corrupt_a principle_n covetousness_n make_v man_n faint_a and_o false_a in_o the_o time_n of_o trial_n they_o will_v save_v the_o world_n with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o soul_n in_o short_a it_o be_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n of_o a_o sin_n of_o the_o great_a gild_n that_o ever_o be_v commit_v in_o betray_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o his_o suffering_n the_o most_o cruel_a and_o ignominious_a death_n a_o sin_n never_o to_o be_v expiate_v but_o by_o the_o flame_n that_o shall_v consume_v this_o world_n the_o place_n wherein_o he_o suffer_v covetousness_n exclude_v all_o in_o who_o
what_o they_o deserve_v to_o be_v desire_v and_o what_o be_v due_a to_o the_o person_n desirous_a of_o they_o be_v not_o easy_o discover_v partly_o in_o that_o the_o aspire_a after_o dignity_n be_v in_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o man_n a_o argument_n and_o indication_n of_o a_o sublime_a spirit_n whereas_o the_o modest_a refusal_n of_o it_o expose_v to_o infamy_n as_o if_o the_o refuser_n have_v a_o leaden_a soul_n who_o body_n be_v rather_o its_o sepulchre_n than_o its_o instrument_n and_o the_o heart_n be_v the_o arch-deceiver_n the_o most_o partial_a parasite_n and_o its_o natural_a falseness_n be_v foment_v by_o the_o artificial_a flattery_n of_o servile_a spirit_n every_o man_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o himself_o as_o the_o eye_n see_v thing_n without_o but_o be_v blind_a as_o to_o the_o see_v itself_o man_n study_v to_o know_v more_o of_o other_o than_o of_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o know_v less_o in_o cure_v the_o disease_n of_o the_o soul_n we_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o method_n of_o cure_v the_o disease_n of_o the_o body_n which_o be_v sometime_o by_o medicine_n contrary_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o sometime_o by_o those_o which_o be_v like_a to_o it_o the_o feverish_a heat_n be_v not_o only_o quench_v by_o cool_a julep_n but_o by_o cordial_n that_o fortify_v the_o vital_a heat_n which_o consume_v the_o peccant_a humour_n that_o foment_n the_o fever_n 1._o consider_v those_o thing_n which_o may_v allay_v the_o tumour_n of_o pride_n and_o vanity_n reason_n be_v the_o perfection_n of_o man_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o ourselves_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o reason_n from_o hence_o proceed_v the_o magnify_v god_n and_o vilify_a ourselves_o god_n be_v the_o eternal_a jehovah_n and_o there_o be_v none_o beside_o he_o he_o alone_o have_v a_o independent_a and_o infinite_a existence_n all_o other_o thing_n be_v from_o his_o efficiency_n every_o spark_n of_o life_n and_o degree_n of_o be_v be_v from_o he_o without_o the_o least_o 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and_o sensible_a compare_v to_o god_n be_v but_o as_o the_o drop_n of_o the_o bucket_n and_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o balance_n and_o what_o part_n be_v we_o of_o that_o drop_n and_o dust_n if_o we_o consider_v man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o primitive_a nature_n it_o be_v a_o evident_a principle_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n with_o character_n of_o the_o clear_a light_n that_o it_o be_v their_o most_o reasonable_a duty_n entire_o to_o renounce_v themselves_o and_o to_o devote_v themselves_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o creature_n and_o sinner_n that_o can_v assume_v nothing_o as_o their_o own_o but_o their_o sin_n and_o misery_n the_o penal_a consequent_n of_o they_o this_o will_v humble_v we_o below_o the_o brute_n who_o never_o transgress_v the_o order_n of_o their_o creation_n we_o be_v less_o than_o the_o least_o of_o all_o god_n mercy_n and_o our_o sin_n deserve_v the_o heavy_a of_o his_o judgement_n consider_v the_o man_n that_o most_o 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all_o vanish_v thus_o all_o spiritual_a gift_n depend_v continual_o upon_o the_o influxive_a presence_n of_o god_n now_o how_o can_v we_o be_v proud_a of_o his_o most_o precious_a gift_n of_o which_o we_o make_v a_o forfeiture_n and_o can_v possess_v without_o humility_n the_o most_o eminent_a advantage_n which_o some_o have_v above_o other_o be_v the_o shine_a mark_n of_o his_o bounty_n how_o absurd_a be_v it_o for_o one_o to_o boast_v of_o wealth_n who_o daily_o live_v upon_o alm_n the_o more_o we_o receive_v the_o high_a be_v our_o obligation_n and_o the_o more_o heavy_a will_v be_v our_o account_n the_o mind_n be_v darken_v with_o the_o thick_a dregs_o of_o ignorance_n that_o no_o light_n can_v penetrate_v that_o arrogate_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o free_a favour_n and_o bountiful_a hand_n to_o the_o creature_n to_o be_v more_o instructive_a let_v we_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o usual_a incentives_n of_o pride_n and_o we_o shall_v discover_v that_o ignonorance_n and_o vanity_n 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person_n fool_n only_o worship_v a_o golden_a calf_n if_o any_o air_n of_o pride_n rise_v in_o a_o rich_a possessor_n it_o may_v as_o just_o provoke_v god_n to_o recall_v his_o blessing_n as_o he_o liberal_o bestow_v they_o other_o presume_v upon_o the_o nobility_n of_o their_o extraction_n but_o whoever_o our_o more_o immediate_a parent_n be_v if_o we_o ascend_v in_o our_o thought_n we_o must_v come_v to_o our_o grand_a progenitor_n adam_n the_o son_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o fountain_n of_o mankind_n all_o be_v stream_n from_o he_o if_o some_o slide_v along_o in_o the_o low_a ground_n and_o some_o be_v receive_v in_o marble_n repository_n they_o all_o flow_v from_o the_o same_o original_a how_o often_o do_v the_o honourable_a tarnish_n the_o colour_n and_o lustre_n of_o their_o blood_n by_o degenerous_a action_n how_o often_o be_v the_o rich_a and_o great_a forsake_v of_o their_o dependent_n and_o only_o attend_v by_o a_o train_n of_o misery_n maintain_v by_o their_o expense_n such_o revolution_n be_v not_o more_o strange_a than_o eclipse_n be_v to_o the_o moon_n some_o be_v raise_v to_o the_o height_n of_o secular_a honour_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o send_v up_o more_o hot_a fume_a and_o intoxicate_a aug._n spirit_n than_o sovereign_a power_n humility_n in_o a_o state_n of_o the_o high_a honour_n be_v a_o very_a rare_a virtue_n but_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o due_o consider_v will_v lower_v the_o train_n of_o pride_n even_o in_o king_n the_o pre-eminence_n of_o external_a order_n be_v seldom_o join_v with_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o inherent_a excellency_n how_o many_o wear_v royal_a crown_n that_o be_v slave_n to_o their_o lust_n and_o govern_v other_o who_o can_v govern_v themselves_o beside_o there_o be_v no_o height_n and_o eminence_n upon_o earth_n but_o be_v encompass_v with_o precipice_n and_o peril_n the_o throne_n leave_v some_o and_o
destroy_v the_o saint_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o revenge_n and_o despite_n against_o the_o high_a and_o everlasting_a judge_n and_o be_v hinder_v by_o the_o interpose_v of_o the_o good_a angel_n michael_n overcome_v the_o devil_n in_o the_o contention_n about_o the_o body_n of_o moses_n the_o devil_n have_v total_o lose_v their_o moral_a excellency_n and_o their_o natural_a excellency_n their_o lustre_n and_o power_n be_v lessen_v but_o of_o what_o power_n they_o have_v to_o do_v mischief_n there_o be_v terrible_a proof_n record_v in_o scripture_n they_o raise_v the_o storm_n that_o overthrow_v the_o house_n wherein_o job_n child_n be_v sudden_o destroy_v and_o strike_v his_o body_n with_o loathsome_a and_o torment_a boil_n the_o good_a angel_n inspire_v holy_a thought_n and_o excite_v holy_a affection_n in_o the_o saint_n for_o certain_o they_o have_v a_o inspire_a faculty_n for_o good_a as_o the_o devil_n have_v for_o evil._n satan_n put_v it_o into_o judas_n his_o heart_n to_o betray_v christ._n they_o execute_v vengeance_n upon_o the_o wicked_a the_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n destroy_v in_o one_o night_n 〈◊〉_d hundred_o fourscore_o and_o five_o thousand_o of_o the_o assyrian_a army_n when_o the_o saint_n leave_v the_o world_n the_o angel_n guard_v they_o through_o the_o air_n the_o dominion_n of_o satan_n and_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o spiritual_a pharaoh_n who_o pursue_v they_o in_o their_o passage_n to_o the_o celestial_a canaan_n at_o the_o last_o day_n they_o shall_v gather_v the_o elect_a from_o all_o the_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o christ_n and_o after_o the_o judgement_n be_v past_a they_o shall_v cast_v the_o wicked_a into_o everlasting_a fire_n the_o perfection_n of_o their_o obedience_n be_v signify_v they_o obey_v god_n ready_o without_o delay_n or_o reluctancy_n delay_n be_v a_o virtual_a denial_n of_o obedience_n the_o angel_n tell_v zacharias_n i_o be_o gabriel_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n it_o imply_v his_o prepare_a disposition_n to_o receive_v and_o perform_v all_o his_o command_n it_o be_v say_v they_o harken_v to_o the_o voice_n of_o his_o word_n the_o first_o signification_n of_o his_o will_n put_v they_o in_o motion_n they_o entire_o obey_v he_o there_o be_v no_o allay_n no_o mixture_n of_o contrary_n in_o their_o principle_n nothing_o suspend_v or_o break_v the_o entireness_n of_o their_o activity_n in_o god_n service_n they_o obey_v he_o with_o all_o their_o power_n and_o the_o utmost_a efficacy_n of_o they_o it_o be_v say_v he_o make_v his_o angel_n spirit_n his_o minister_n a_o flam●_n of_o fire_n to_o signifi●_n their_o celerity_n and_o vigout_n in_o do_v god_n will._n they_o fly_v like_o the_o wind_n to_o rescue_v the_o saint_n from_o imminent_a destructive_a evil_n and_o like_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n be_v quick_a and_o terrible_a to_o consume_v the_o wicked_a they_o full_o perform_v his_o command_n the_o two_o angel_n that_o be_v send_v to_o preserve_v l●t_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n while_o he_o linger_v they_o take_v he_o by_o the_o hand_n and_o bring_v he_o out_o of_o the_o city_n and_o will_v not_o destroy_v it_o till_o he_o be_v safe_a they_o free_o and_o cheerful_o obey_v god_n esteem_v his_o service_n their_o glory_n and_o felicity_n they_o be_v style_v throne_n and_o dominion_n principality_n and_o power_n but_o they_o be_v more_o please_v in_o the_o title_n of_o his_o angel_n that_o be_v messengers_z and_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o his_o servant_n they_o esteem_v it_o their_o high_a exaltation_n and_o happiness_n to_o obey_v god_n they_o with_o as_o much_o diligence_n and_o delight_n watch_v over_o the_o mean_a saint_n though_o never_o so_o obscure_a and_o despicable_a in_o the_o world_n as_o those_o who_o be_v in_o royal_a dignity_n because_o they_o in_o it_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o god_n they_o be_v steady_a and_o uniform_a in_o their_o duty_n above_o all_o temptation_n from_o hope_n or_o fear_n that_o may_v slacken_v their_o endeavour_n and_o unstring_v the_o bent_n of_o their_o resolution_n in_o his_o service_n there_o be_v a_o eternal_a constancy_n in_o their_o obedience_n it_o may_v be_v say_v this_o example_n be_v above_o our_o level_n in_o the_o present_a state_n our_o wing_n be_v break_v we_o flag_n and_o can_v reach_v so_o high_a a_o flight_n we_o sometime_o conceive_v more_o clear_o sometime_o more_o dark_o of_o our_o duty_n we_o be_v sometime_o decline_v sometime_o revive_v and_o return_v to_o our_o duty_n we_o do_v not_o practise_v obedience_n with_o that_o degree_n of_o diligence_n as_o it_o be_v command_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o flesh_n control_v the_o willingness_n of_o the_o spirit_n how_o shall_v it_o upbraid_v we_o that_o we_o fall_v so_o short_a in_o the_o imitation_n of_o angelical_a obedience_n who_o be_v under_o equal_a nay_o peculiar_a obligation_n to_o please_v god_n the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o our_o redemption_n be_v more_o illustrious_o visible_a than_o in_o their_o creation_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v most_o free_a in_o make_v the_o angel_n but_o it_o be_v merciful_a in_o save_v man_n from_o extreme_a misery_n the_o desert_n of_o his_o disobedience_n the_o divine_a power_n make_v the_o angel_n but_o man_n be_v redeem_v by_o the_o dear_a price_n the_o blood_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o this_o god_n commend_v his_o love_n to_o we_o that_o when_o we_o be_v sinner_n he_o give_v his_o son_n to_o die_v for_o we_o now_o beneficence_n be_v magnify_v by_o the_o principle_n and_o motive_n of_o it_o gift_n be_v endear_v by_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o giver_n and_o ingenuous_a thankfulness_n chief_o respect_v it_o all_o the_o precious_a benefit_n and_o vital_a influence_n that_o we_o receive_v be_v from_o the_o dear_a love_n of_o god_n suppose_v the_o angel_n receive_v as_o great_a favour_n from_o his_o bountiful_a hand_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o his_o heart_n his_o tender_a and_o compassionate_a love_n in_o our_o salvation_n how_o shall_v this_o consideration_n inspire_v our_o prayer_n with_o a_o holy_a heat_n that_o god_n will_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n to_o know_v his_o holy_a acceptable_a and_o perfect_a will_n and_o incline_v our_o will_n to_o choose_v it_o and_o enable_v we_o to_o do_v it_o as_o the_o angel_n the_o most_o illuminate_v and_o zealous_a servant_n of_o god_n 4._o the_o scripture_n have_v light_v up_o excellent_a example_n of_o holiness_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o saint_n upon_o earth_n for_o our_o direction_n and_o imitation_n there_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n by_o look_v on_o example_n they_o be_v more_o instructive_a than_o naked_a precept_n and_o more_o clear_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n a_o work_v do_v in_o our_o sight_n by_o another_o direct_v we_o better_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o be_v more_o acceptable_a and_o of_o more_o powerful_a efficacy_n to_o reform_v we_o than_o counsel_n and_o admonition_n by_o word_n a_o reproof_n if_o speak_v with_o a_o imperious_a air_n wherein_o vanity_n have_v a_o visible_a ascendant_n be_v hear_v with_o distaste_n and_o often_o with_o disdain_n but_o a_o excellent_a example_n be_v a_o silent_a reproof_n not_o direct_v immediate_o to_o irregular_a person_n but_o discover_v what_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v and_o leave_v the_o application_n to_o themselves_o and_o the_o impression_n be_v more_o quick_a and_o penetrate_a than_o of_o word_n in_o difficult_a precept_n no_o argument_n be_v more_o effectual_a than_o example_n for_o the_o possibility_n of_o do_v they_o be_v confirm_v by_o instance_n in_o other_o and_o the_o pretence_n of_o infirmity_n be_v take_v away_o the_o command_n bind_v we_o to_o our_o duty_n example_n encourage_v we_o to_o performance_n the_o pattern_n of_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v pure_a spirit_n be_v not_o so_o influential_a upon_o we_o as_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v more_o correspondent_a and_o proportionate_a to_o our_o present_a state_n as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o star_n that_o be_v so_o vast_o distant_a be_v not_o so_o useful_a in_o manage_v our_o affair_n as_o the_o light_n of_o a_o candle_n that_o be_v near_o we_o the_o saint_n be_v near_o ally_v to_o we_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o same_o frail_a garment_n of_o flesh_n they_o have_v like_o passion_n and_o be_v in_o the_o same_o contagious_a world_n yet_o they_o be_v holy_a and_o heavenly_a in_o their_o affection_n and_o action_n they_o live_v in_o civil_a conversation_n with_o man_n and_o spiritual_a communion_n with_o god_n this_o will_v take_v away_o the_o pretence_n of_o infirmity_n for_o we_o have_v the_o same_o word_n of_o grace_n and_o spirit_n of_o grace_n to_o strengthen_v we_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n be_v regular_a and_o uniform_a wherein_o the_o saint_n resemble_v one_o another_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o conspicuous_a singularity_n of_o active_a or_o suffer_a grace_n in_o some_o