Selected quad for the lemma: work_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
work_n	effect_n	faith_n	justify_v	6,955	5	8.9340	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23697	The causes of the decay of Christian piety, or, An impartial survey of the ruines of Christian religion, undermin'd by unchristian practice written by the author of The whole duty of man.	Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.	1667 (1667)	Wing A1097; ESTC R225979	242,500	456

that_o they_o shall_v bring_v forth_o more_o fruit_n in_o their_o age_n and_o what_o he_o thus_o observe_v of_o the_o member_n disjunctive_o and_o apart_o reason_n suggest_v to_o be_v in_o a_o high_a and_o more_o eminent_a manner_n appliable_a to_o the_o whole_a body_n unite_v and_o it_o be_v as_o well_o the_o mark_n as_o duty_n of_o every_o single_a christian_a to_o grow_v in_o grace_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 18._o we_o may_v by_o all_o rule_n of_o proportion_n conclude_v that_o the_o collective_a mass_n of_o such_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v by_o this_o time_n near_o attain_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n eph._n 4._o 3._o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v so_o regular_a a_o inference_n that_o while_o the_o premise_n stand_v firm_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o shake_v the_o conclusion_n the_o entire_a body_n must_v necessary_o augment_v answerable_o to_o the_o growth_n of_o its_o several_a part_n and_o if_o we_o shall_v so_o far_o let_v loose_v to_o speculation_n as_o to_o forget_v our_o experience_n if_o we_o measure_v the_o effect_n only_o by_o the_o power_n and_o energy_n of_o the_o cause_n we_o shall_v sure_o be_v as_o far_o from_o doubt_v the_o premise_n also_o christianity_n be_v in_o its_o self_n of_o so_o prolific_a a_o nature_n so_o apt_a to_o impregnate_n the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o its_o proselyte_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v that_o any_o branch_n shall_v want_v a_o due_a fertility_n that_o be_v engraft_v into_o so_o vigorous_a a_o stock_n for_o first_o in_o its_o spring_n and_o original_n it_o be_v most_o supernatural_a and_o divine_a derive_v immediate_o from_o he_o who_o have_v nothing_o more_o of_o man_n than_o he_o purposely_o assume_v to_o draw_v we_o the_o near_a to_o he_o as_o god_n he_o it_o be_v that_o disseminated_a this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o purify_n to_o himself_o a_o peculiar_a people_n zealous_a of_o good_a work_n and_o certain_o his_o choice_n abundant_o justify_v its_o propriety_n to_o that_o end_n and_o his_o descent_n from_o heaven_n on_o that_o errand_n put_v so_o venerable_a a_o solemnity_n upon_o it_o that_o though_o his_o descent_n be_v very_a astonish_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o so_o that_o it_o shall_v fail_v of_o the_o design_a effect_n and_o indeed_o do_v our_o faith_n give_v we_o no_o clue_n to_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o author_n yet_o its_o composition_n will_v speak_v it_o to_o be_v of_o no_o humane_a extraction_n its_o precept_n be_v so_o excellent_a and_o refine_a so_o agreeable_a to_o the_o more_o spiritual_a part_n of_o our_o temper_n and_o so_o apt_a as_o to_o forestall_v so_o to_o cleanse_v and_o sublimate_v the_o more_o gross_a and_o corrupt_a as_o show_v flesh_n and_o blood_n never_o reveal_v it_o nay_o far_o so_o effectual_o provide_v for_o all_o those_o advantage_n to_o mankind_n which_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n law_n have_v in_o vain_a attempt_v that_o methinks_v they_o all_o stand_v before_o it_o like_o the_o magician_n before_o moses_n and_o by_o their_o impotence_n tacit_o confess_v it_o to_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n it_o be_v too_o large_a a_o theme_n to_o confront_v they_o in_o the_o several_a instance_n let_v it_o suffice_v to_o observe_v one_o which_o have_v a_o common_a influence_n on_o all_o and_o that_o be_v the_o immaculate_a cleanness_n of_o heart_n which_o christ_n and_o only_a christ_n law_n require_v this_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a basis_n on_o which_o to_o superstruct_v first_o innocency_n and_o then_o virtue_n and_o without_o this_o the_o most_o rigid_a exactor_n of_o outward_a purity_n do_v but_o transcribe_v the_o folly_n of_o he_o who_o pump_n very_o laborious_o in_o a_o ship_n yet_o neglect_v to_o stop_v the_o leak_n or_o the_o worse_a tyranny_n of_o pharaoh_n in_o require_v brick_n without_o straw_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o a_o severity_n in_o our_o lawgiver_n thus_o to_o limit_v and_o restrain_v our_o thought_n that_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o great_a indulgence_n by_o no_o mean_n the_o lay_n on_o a_o new_a burden_n but_o the_o furnish_n we_o with_o a_o engine_n to_o bear_v with_o ease_n that_o weight_n which_o otherwise_o the_o stout_a atlas_n must_v sink_v under_o and_o be_v but_o this_o one_o precept_n sincere_o conform_v to_o it_o will_v not_o only_o facilitate_v but_o ascertain_v the_o obedience_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n if_o the_o first_o spark_n of_o ill_n be_v quench_v within_o what_o possibility_n be_v there_o they_o shall_v ever_o break_v out_o into_o a_o flame_n how_o shall_v he_o kill_v that_o dare_v not_o be_v angry_a be_v adulterous_a in_o act_n that_o do_v not_o first_o transgress_v in_o his_o desire_n how_o shall_v he_o be_v perjure_v that_o fear_v a_o oath_n or_o defraud_v that_o permit_v not_o himself_o to_o covet_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n all_o positive_a act_n of_o virtue_n be_v but_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o the_o interior_a habit_n where_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v seat_v in_o the_o heart_n it_o will_v operate_v in_o all_o the_o faculty_n keep_v they_o in_o a_o busy_a endeavour_n of_o do_v acceptable_a service_n when_o fear_n be_v plant_v there_o it_o will_v break_v forth_o in_o outward_a reverence_n and_o duty_n and_o so_o proportionable_o it_o will_v be_v in_o every_o other_o instance_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o advice_n well_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n prov._n 4._o to_o keep_v the_o heart_n with_o all_o diligence_n but_o than_o it_o be_v withal_o the_o work_n of_o he_o who_o be_v great_a than_o solomon_n to_o teach_v we_o how_o to_o do_v this_o for_o unless_o he_o keep_v that_o city_n the_o watchman_n wake_v but_o in_o vain_a if_o he_o instruct_v not_o to_o secure_v those_o issue_n of_o life_n they_o will_v betray_v and_o ruin_v appear_v indeed_o the_o savour_n of_o death_n unto_o death_n now_o of_o this_o divine_a art_n of_o tactic_n and_o defence_n christianity_n be_v the_o only_a school_n and_o therefore_o most_o fit_o qualify_v for_o the_o produce_v all_o those_o supernatural_a excellency_n to_o which_o the_o timely_a prepossession_n of_o the_o heart_n be_v the_o rudiment_n and_o principle_n and_o as_o the_o preceptive_a part_n enjoin_v the_o most_o exact_a and_o elevate_a virtue_n so_o be_v it_o most_o advantageous_o enforce_v by_o the_o promissory_a which_o both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o kind_n and_o value_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o also_o the_o manner_n of_o propose_v they_o be_v most_o exquisite_o adapt_v to_o the_o same_o end_n for_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n promise_v we_o shall_v find_v they_o be_v not_o gross_a and_o carnal_a such_o as_o may_v court_v and_o gratify_v the_o bestial_a part_n of_o we_o but_o such_o as_o be_v proportion_v to_o the_o supreme_a and_o lead_a principle_n as_o feast_v a_o soul_n and_o suit_n with_o the_o capacity_n of_o a_o intelligence_n all_o the_o beatitude_n the_o gospel_n tender_v to_o its_o votary_n either_o relate_v to_o the_o purity_n or_o peace_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o this_o life_n or_o else_o to_o its_o complete_a felicity_n hereafter_o and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o body_n be_v not_o whole_o unconsidered_a though_o the_o addition_n of_o all_o temporal_a necessary_n be_v promise_v yet_o even_o those_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n sake_n either_o to_o secure_v it_o from_o the_o sin_n of_o solicitude_n and_o distrust_n or_o to_o preserve_v it_o a_o useful_a instrument_n for_o the_o other_o service_n and_o as_o for_o the_o future_a glory_n in_o which_o the_o body_n be_v to_o partake_v it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o flesh_n and_o blood_n can_v not_o inherit_v it_o that_o load_n of_o earth_n which_o now_o engage_v to_o corruption_n must_v be_v put_v off_o must_v be_v calcine_v and_o spiritualise_v and_o thus_o make_v glorious_a be_v clothe_v upon_o with_o glory_n so_o that_o in_o all_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n there_o be_v no_o provision_n for_o the_o flesh_n its_o lust_n and_o sensuality_n and_o then_o sure_a there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o unanswerable_a argument_n against_o our_o provide_v for_o it_o than_o to_o see_v it_o leave_v out_o of_o god_n care_n indeed_o have_v we_o proposal_n of_o a_o mahometan_a paradise_n be_v we_o to_o expect_v our_o bliss_n only_o in_o the_o satiate_a our_o appetite_n it_o may_v be_v reasonable_a here_o to_o whet_v they_o before_o hand_n to_o stretch_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a wideness_n or_o in_o the_o prophet_n phrase_n to_o enlarge_v our_o desire_n as_o hell_n and_o by_o frequent_a antepast_n excite_v our_o gust_n for_o that_o profuse_a perpetual_a meal_n or_o be_v we_o only_o to_o have_v our_o portion_n in_o this_o life_n to_o enjoy_v a_o uninterrupted_a affluence_n of_o outward_a comfort_n it_o be_v but_o good_a husbandry_n to_o improve_v they_o to_o the_o height_n and_o the_o wise_a man_n advice_n will_v

certain_a our_o christianity_n will_v be_v as_o ineffectual_a to_o our_o bliss_n as_o it_o be_v to_o our_o piety_n if_o we_o will_v not_o permit_v it_o here_o to_o bring_v we_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o servant_n it_o shall_v never_o instate_v we_o hereafter_o in_o the_o inheritance_n of_o son_n chap._n viii_o a_o survey_n of_o the_o mischief_n arise_v from_o mistake_v concern_v almighty_a god_n and_o the_o method_n of_o his_o providence_n to_o these_o mistake_v of_o ourselves_o and_o interest_n we_o have_v add_v other_o also_o concern_v god_n which_o be_v no_o less_o destructive_a to_o christian_a practice_n for_o as_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n io._n 17._o 3._o put_v as_o the_o epitome_n and_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o lead_v to_o bliss_n so_o our_o misprision_n and_o misapprehension_n of_o he_o be_v no_o less_o remarkable_a for_o the_o contrary_a effect_n nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v it_o otherwise_o when_o we_o remember_v that_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a work_n and_o basis_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o foundation_n be_v deceitful_o lay_v the_o superstructure_n must_v necessary_o sink_v and_o perish_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o at_o once_o to_o build_v on_o the_o rock_n and_o the_o sand_n too_o we_o may_v fix_v our_o faith_n intentional_o on_o god_n and_o yet_o by_o absurd_a notion_n and_o unwarrant_v conceit_n of_o he_o defeat_n in_o the_o particular_n what_o we_o establish_v in_o the_o gross_a represent_v he_o so_o utter_o distant_a from_o what_o he_o be_v that_o under_o that_o disguise_n he_o will_v not_o much_o appear_v either_o a_o encourager_n or_o rewarder_n of_o our_o piety_n and_o then_o we_o may_v guess_v how_o it_o be_v like_a to_o flourish_v since_o the_o apostle_n give_v it_o as_o a_o fundamental_a axiom_n heb._n 12._o 6._o that_o he_o who_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o which_o diligent_o seek_v he_o of_o these_o mistake_v concern_v god_n there_o be_v divers_a many_o more_o than_o the_o design_v brevity_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v admit_v i_o to_o examine_v i_o shall_v only_o mention_v three_o those_o be_v first_o concern_v his_o decree_n second_o his_o attribute_n three_o his_o providence_n by_o his_o decree_n i_o mean_v not_o those_o stand_a rule_n which_o he_o have_v in_o his_o word_n set_v forth_o as_o the_o measure_n by_o which_o he_o will_v distribute_v reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o those_o secret_a purpose_n of_o his_o will_n which_o he_o neither_o command_v we_o to_o search_v after_o nor_o will_v permit_v we_o to_o know_v that_o there_o be_v many_o mistake_v concern_v these_o the_o numberless_a dispute_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o they_o will_v sufficient_o attest_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o two_o contradictory_n opinion_n to_o be_v both_o true_a though_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o abstruse_a nature_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a both_o may_v be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o wade_v into_o those_o bottomless_a controversy_n which_o like_o a_o gulf_n have_v swallow_v up_o so_o much_o time_n and_o industry_n of_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v only_o in_o general_n commend_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n consideration_n whether_o it_o be_v probable_a or_o indeed_o possible_a for_o those_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a which_o infer_v falsehood_n in_o god_n and_o then_o let_v the_o second_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o that_o be_v not_o too_o evident_o the_o result_n of_o those_o discourse_n which_o set_v a_o opposition_n between_o his_o reveal_v and_o his_o secret_a will_n his_o command_n and_o his_o decree_n make_v the_o one_o a_o blind_a for_o the_o better_a execution_n of_o the_o other_o as_o if_o all_o the_o transportation_n and_o zeal_n he_o express_v for_o we_o all_o the_o passionate_a enamor_v invitation_n he_o make_v to_o we_o be_v only_o to_o sport_v himself_o with_o our_o credulity_n like_o the_o divertisement_n of_o those_o man_n who_o court_v they_o for_o wife_n who_o they_o will_v abhor_v to_o marry_v nay_o as_o if_o all_o the_o protestation_n and_o most_o solemn_a oath_n of_o god_n be_v design_v but_o to_o advance_v the_o delusion_n and_o raise_v expectation_n mere_o to_o defeat_v they_o this_o be_v such_o a_o severe_a sort_n of_o irony_n as_o we_o will_v all_o think_v not_o only_o unkind_a but_o unjust_a in_o a_o man_n and_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o god_n who_o appeal_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o equality_n of_o his_o way_n shall_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o strict_a measure_n among_o we_o or_o exemplify_v to_o we_o a_o unsincerity_n he_o forbid_v we_o to_o follow_v how_o very_o inauspicious_a influence_n such_o doctrine_n be_v apt_a to_o have_v on_o practice_n be_v too_o visible_a for_o since_o it_o be_v as_o well_o the_o instinct_n as_o duty_n of_o our_o nature_n to_o aspire_v to_o a_o assimulation_n with_o god_n even_o that_o most_o laudable_a and_o generous_a ambition_n shall_v by_o this_o mean_n become_v our_o snare_n for_o when_o god_n shall_v be_v thus_o misrepresent_v to_o we_o draw_v out_o by_o the_o black_a line_n not_o only_o of_o severity_n but_o deceit_n render_v a_o falsifier_n of_o his_o word_n nay_o oath_n it_o will_v give_v not_o only_a temptation_n but_o warrant_n to_o the_o like_a practice_n we_o shall_v easy_o swallow_v up_o all_o the_o particular_a command_n of_o god_n in_o that_o fundamental_a one_o of_o be_v like_o he_o as_o we_o be_v teach_v himself_o have_v do_v both_o his_o command_n and_o promise_n in_o his_o hide_a decree_n this_o be_v so_o natural_a a_o piece_n of_o logic_n that_o it_o be_v very_o unsafe_a man_n shall_v be_v trust_v with_o those_o premise_n whence_o it_o be_v derive_v and_o though_o we_o be_v not_o over_o apt_a to_o transcribe_v that_o copy_n god_n do_v real_o set_v we_o yet_o this_o spurious_a one_o will_v not_o miss_v to_o be_v take_v out_o that_o pravity_n of_o our_o nature_n which_o hinder_v in_o the_o one_o exciting_a and_o spur_v we_o on_o in_o the_o other_o this_o be_v a_o way_n to_o reconcile_v our_o vice_n with_o our_o reputation_n and_o sin_n cum_fw-la privilegio_fw-la and_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n of_o man_n aptness_n to_o use_v that_o advantage_n we_o see_v it_o in_o low_a instance_n the_o vice_n of_o a_o prince_n draw_v shool_z of_o follower_n when_o his_o virtue_n leave_v he_o the_o more_o eminent_a because_o single_a and_o render_v he_o rather_o revere_v than_o imitate_v and_o certain_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o devil_n slight_a stratagem_n on_o the_o gentile_a world_n to_o give_v they_o such_o god_n as_o may_v exemplify_v to_o they_o all_o those_o odious_a crime_n wherein_o he_o desire_v to_o immerse_n they_o whether_o this_o may_v not_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o the_o same_o illusion_n i_o wish_v the_o propugner_n of_o this_o doctrine_n will_v serious_o consider_v and_o as_o several_a ill_n be_v hereby_o countenance_v and_o authorise_a so_o be_v all_o virtue_n in_o general_n discourage_v and_o dishearten_v this_o benumb_v we_o in_o our_o christian_a course_n substract_v that_o spirit_n and_o vigour_n which_o shall_v carry_v we_o through_o the_o weary_a stage_n of_o duty_n indeed_o it_o cut_v the_o very_a sinew_n of_o industry_n baffle_v and_o make_v ridiculous_a all_o purpose_n of_o labour_n for_o what_o shall_v invite_v a_o man_n to_o strive_v for_o that_o from_o which_o he_o know_v he_o be_v either_o irreversible_o preclude_v or_o else_o so_o infallible_o ascertain_v that_o his_o negligence_n can_v defeat_v he_o these_o be_v such_o extreme_n as_o afford_v no_o middle_n wherein_o the_o virtue_n of_o industry_n may_v exist_v hope_v be_v equal_o out-dated_n by_o the_o desperateness_n or_o unnecessariness_n of_o a_o undertake_n and_o how_o necessary_a hope_n be_v to_o excite_v endeavour_n we_o may_v learn_v of_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 5._o where_o he_o press_v his_o corinthian_n to_o the_o constancy_n of_o christian_a practice_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o their_o labour_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n but_o according_a to_o some_o man_n doctrine_n it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o know_v whether_o his_o labour_n be_v in_o vain_a or_o no_o since_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o depend_v not_o upon_o the_o reveal_v promise_n but_o secret_a purpose_n of_o god_n and_o who_o know_v whether_o there_o may_v not_o lie_v some_o dormant_a decree_n against_o he_o which_o when_o he_o think_v he_o have_v run_v his_o race_n shall_v yet_o defeat_v he_o of_o his_o crown_n whether_o a_o reward_n thus_o state_v will_n much_o animate_v man_n diligence_n i_o may_v leave_v every_o man_n to_o judge_v by_o the_o like_a circumstance_n in_o their_o secular_a concern_v and_o if_o they_o find_v they_o will_v there_o damp_n their_o courage_n dispirit_n and_o dishearten_v they_o from_o attempt_v there_o will_v be_v sure_o more_o