Selected quad for the lemma: work_n
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A95931
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Words whereby we may be saved. By Thomas Vincent, sometime minister of Maudlins milk-street, London
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Vincent, Thomas, 1634-1678.
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1668
(1668)
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Wing V452A; ESTC R230467
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50,841
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90
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promised an open reward to such as secretly and sincerely seek him Pray frequently be often upon your knees give your selves unto Prayer begin the day conclude the day with Prayer and recover some other time to visit and speak to God at least mingle ejaculatory Prayer with every other work and labour that your minds may be always in a praying frame and do not withdraw but be glad when an opportunity offereth it self to come to the throne of grace Pray fervently pour forth your hearts before God in the duty wrestle with God in Prayer like Jacob be earnest in your Petitions as for your lives be instant and importunate take no denyal follow hard after God stir up your selves to take hold on him use arguments in Prayer to plead with him Pray believingly mingle your prayers with Faith make use of the name and mediation of Jesus Christ and make application of the Promises which God hath made to his People which he hath made to Faith and which he hath made to Prayer Means 6. Christian Conference Take heed of the company of the wicked from such turn away if you are under tyes to be in such company converse with them as infected persons with an Antidote lest you receive hurt by them and with endeavours of doing them good But choose the company of them that fear God they are the excellent persons the wicked are the Dross of the Earth they are the Gold let your delight be in their society associate chiefly if you have opportunity with such as have most of the power of godliness and labour to improve by their company whenever you come into it endeavour to get light and life and warmth and strength from them take heed of unprofitable discourse but let it be with grace for edification Means 7. Watchfulness Watch unto duty there are some golden seasons for some duties some choice opportunities of doing and receiving good which if once slipt you may never have the like again so long as you live watch that you may know them watch that you may improve them understand the day of your visitation sow your seed whilest the weather lasteth hoist up the sail when the wind bloweth watch the breathings of the Spirit and comply with its motions Watch against sin and therefore keep your hearts with all diligence guard your senses take heed of Satan get on the Spiritual Armour especially the shield of Faith and fight the good fight of Faith that you may lay hold on eternal life Means 8. Sanctification of Fasting-dayes Set apart times to humble your Souls before God in Fasting and Prayer and therein rend your hearts and not your garments labour to afflict your Souls for sin meet God with weeping and supplication cloathe your selves with humility lie in the dust cover your selves with shame loath and abhorr your selves in his sight for your iniquities mourn for your own sins and for the great dishonours of his Name by the sins of others And seek to the Lord both for your selves and for his Church Means 9. Sanctification of Sabbath-dayes Remember to keep holy the Sabbath-day break off timely the day before from worldly employments and be earnest with God to prepare your heart for the day and when the day is come begin and hold on with God from Morning to Night in the publick private and secret duties of his immediate Worship except what time works of necessity and mercy do call for Labour to be in the Spirit and in the fear of God all the day long lay aside worldly business take heed of vain and unprofitable discourse let not the Duties of Religion seem tedious but call the Sabbath your delight begin heaven-Heaven-work on such dayes that you may be fitted by these Sabbaths for the Eternal Rest Praise God on these dayes for the works of Creation especially for the work of Redemption and labour to grow in grace by the dews of the Word which fall upon you most plentifully on such dayes Means 10. Improvement of Sacrament-dayes Come frequently to the Table of the Lord if you have opportunity to celebrate the Memorial of Christs Death and come preparedly examine your selves pray for the Wedding-garment read the history of Christs Passion consider such arguments as may be a means to draw forth your graces into exercise and when you are there labour to mourn for sin which hath pierced the Lord to hunger after his righteousness to receive him by Faith to apply the Promises of the Covenant of Grace whereof the Sacrament is a Seal endeavour after a burning love to him whose love hath been so great as to dye for you and let your hearts be filled with joy and your mouths with Praises and deliver up your selves in Covenant unto the Lord in this Ordinance After you come from the Lords Table reflect upon your carriage towards the Lord if you have been straitened endeavour to find out the cause mourn and by after-pains and application of Christ endeavour to get some benefit and prepare better against the next time if you have been enlarged be humble be thankfull be watchfull live up to Obligations draw vertue from Christs death for the crucifying more and more of your flesh with its affections and lusts and fetch influences of grace and spiritual nourishment that you may encrease with the encreases of God Finally be diligent in the use of these and all other means and helps and so at length you shall attain the ultimate end for which they are appointed even your Salvation and Eternal Happiness FINIS