Selected quad for the lemma: work_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
work_n	evil_a	good_a	tree_n	33,809	5	11.7409	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A15504	Some helpes to faith Shewing the necessitie, grounds, kinds, degrees, signes of it. Clearing diuerse doubts, answering obiections, made by the soule in temptation. By Iohn Wilson, preacher of Gods word in Gilford.	Wilson, John, d. 1630.	1625 (1625)	STC 25769; ESTC S103081	44,436	242

a man to euery good worke the branch brings not forth but in the vine without Christ or not being in him we can doe nothing Ioh. 15.4.5 The worke cannot be better then the nature whence it proceeds an euill tree cannot bring forth good fruit The work may be materially good but euill by abuse productions of the flesh by some peruerse affection vnto ends not right in the sight of God they be dead workes not onely as they proceed from a person spiritually dead a stranger from the life of God but as they tend to the condemnation of the worker though farre more tolerable then those sinnes that are such for their matter and kinde Sixtly Vnbeleefe holds a man vnder great misery First Vnder the rigor of the law without mercie to the pardon of the least omission or defect Secondly Vnder irritation of the law the more it reueales sinne the more corrupt nature lusts and striues to doe it Rom. 7.5.8 Thirdly vnder the coaction of the law he is in bondage vnto feare of the threatnings of it and withheld from the euill which he loueth as a dogge tyed vp from biting or a foxe chained vp from prey yet retaine their disposition Fourthly Vnder the malediction of the law there is no curse but hee may feare it in his blessings in his crosses he hath euill of good and euill of euill all turnes to his hurt It shutts out thee good of most excellent meanes Heb. 4.2 makes Christ with all his vertue vnprofitable to him who by his absolute power can doe whatsoeuer hee will yet concerning his ordinate power is made impotent in a sort to great works by the vnbeleefe of men Mar. 6.5 Seuenthly Vnbeleefe increaseth a mans misery liuing vnder the Gospell it shall be required of him according to that which is cōmitted to him iudgement is to the Iew first for abusing his preferment in the offer of saluation by Christ. This is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then light Ioh. 3.19 Christ is to the ruine of many in Israel Luk. 2.34 They haue a double damnation one from the law wherein Christ found them another from the Gospell in which deliuerance was offered and they refused it they that stumble at this stone are broken and they vpon whom it falls are all ground to powder A malefactor dieth iustly by the law but if he haue offer of the kings pardon and refuse it he is twise guilty of his owne death the iudgement beginnes here in spirituall plagues Rom. 11.8.9 Ioh 12.39 and is fulfilled in hell in a more greiuous damnation then that of Sodome and Gomorrha Resolue therefore speedily to obey the Gospel consent to God commanding you to receiue his sonne promising mercy in him to euery one that beleeues on him dispute not against his faithfull and true sayings listen not to the deuill and your carnall wisedome muttering and obiecting thus Obiection I. Who am I what is my worthinesse that I should conceiue of God that he so respected me as to giue his sonne and with him so great happinesse for me I dare not beleeue it Answere First The opening of the sealed Booke the bare fore-knowledge of things to come found no man liuing or dead worthy of it but onely Christ whom then shall so great loue find worthy of it in himselfe 2. It commends the free grace of God that he was so farre from making the respect of our worthinesse to turne his minde toward vs that when we were of no strength meere enemies sinners and vngodly he prouided the merit of his sonne for vs his loue is set before the gift of his sonne Ioh. 3.16 To declare the freenesse of the benefit we bring nothing bring nothing but our needinesse emptinesse nothingnesse are onely receiuers of Christ with his blessing and of faith also whereby to receiue him It is of faith that it might be of grace Rom. 4.16 Herein hath God manifested and made certaine his loue 1 Ioh. 4.9 That I may be setled in conscience that being in my selfe vnworthy I am counted worthy I must turne away mine eyes from my selfe and behold Christ Iesus alone on whose worthinesse the fulfilling of the promises depends he that imbraceth him and the promise of mercy in him is said to be worthy as he that reiects the offer of God so gracious is said to be vnworthy Math. 22.8 First The holy seruants of God confessing their owne vnworthinesse haue yet beleeued and humbly claimed Gods promise with this reason thou hast told this goodnesse to thy seruant thou art God and thy words be true Gen. 32.9 10 11.2 Sam. 7.18.28 praying him to performe it for his owne sake Dan. 9.19 who for his owne sake puts away our iniquities Esa. 43.25 Obiection II. The presumption of a bidden guest sitting downe at the wedding feast without a wedding garment was found and fearefully punished Considering my nothingnesse and withall my great sinfulnesse I feare to meddle humility seemes to with-hold me Answere It is not presumption but humilitie to yeeld to Gods will and a meet thing to accept the gracious offer of his sonne vnto life approue and yeeld to what God pronounceth to please him giue your selfe liberty to iudge in his worke what is meet consider the correction of Peter refusing in modestie his Lords offer to wash his feet Ioh. 13.6.8.9 There is a carnall humilitie that may spoile a man of his soule Col. 2.13.23 We be fittest for Gods mercy when lothing our selues in our fowlenesse we aspire vnto his grace which hee giues to the humble 1. Pet. 5.5.6 Secondly Great things beseeme a great God we are to consider not what we are in our selues meet to receiue but what is meet for him to giue whose counsell determines to this and that man as his pleasure is who works herein for the praise of his glorious grace that makes all for himselfe Lord of all free to place his grace where he will none giues him first Rom. 11.35 Thirdly He suffers his elect to fall into great sins which he orders to his and their glory 1. In giuing them notice of them with feeling whether strange terror consternation accompanie it or they passe in the birth more easly yet they goe before many ciuill men into the kingdome of heauen Math. 21.31 disposing them therby vnto his calling vnto fellowship with Christ 2. and makes them called to doe more with impulsion of loue for much forgiuen Luk. 7.47 3. To stand as patternes of Gods abounding grace to preuent their diffidence who desire Gods mercy and grace yet distrust by the number and greatnesse of their sinnes Forthly Number or greatnesse of sinnes are not barres in all to shut out Gods mercies in Christ either for forgiuenesse or healing of nature they may be resembled by the Sea in which Gods great workes are seene which slowes to the couering not onely of sands but rocks

it comes to challenge the aduersaries of our happinesse with a holy insultation either as it were at the barre for accusation or condemnation or in the field for force to separate vs from the loue of God in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.33 34 35. cannot be without faith in Christ. We haue by him entrance vnto God with boldnesse and confidence through faith in his name Ephes. 3.12 Him God raised from the dead and gaue him glory that our faith and hope might bee in God 1. Pet. 1.21 That a man may stay vpon God hee must know that hee is his God committing the care of his safetie and the charge of his happines to belong to him being both able and willing to helpe him which necessarily requires faith in Christ that hee may haue right to that couenant I will bee thy God So knowing whom hee hath beleeued he with quietnesse and confidence commits himselfe to him as Paul 2. Tim. 1.12 Diffidence and thereby feare are found in godly men and that in good causes by defect of faith much more in them that haue no faith whose hearts by the sound of feare are mooued as the trees of the forrest by the winde Esay 7.2 or are hardned against threatnings by flatterie trust in lying words making falsehood their refuge Secondly Loue of God whereby we are mooued towards him and cleaue to him as soueraignely good in himselfe 2. the authour and maintainer of all our good had or hoped for 3. and for him doe loue such persons and things as hee hath commended to our loue 4. giue our selues to him to bee at his will seeking his glory and hating our selues as wee are against him 5. cannot be satisfied but in fruition of him and therein rest with delightfull contentment cannot bee in an vnbeleeuer 1. In such the loue of God is not 2. Gods loue preuents vs and mooues ours 1. Iohn 4.19 3. Hee circumciseth our hearts to loue him his spirit is called the spirit of loue because it works it in vs and guides our hearts into it 2. Tim. 1.7 4. It is one speciall note by which the heires of the grace of life are described 1. Cor. 2.9 8.3 Eph. 6.24 Rom. 8.28 Iam. 1.12 The vnbeleeuer is an enemy to God Coloss. 1.21 Thirdly Feare of God whereby we sanctifie him in our hearts stand in awe of him his word hate to sin against him euen where no eye but his can take notice of vs giue our selues to good duties with strife to doe them so as pleaseth him aspire to full sanctification 2. Cor. 7.1 cannot be in an vnbelieuer For it is wrought in regeneration by vertue of Gods Couenant with such as haue their sinnes forgiuen Ier. 32.40 by the spirit of God that rests vpon Christ for his members Esa. 11.2 is prouoked by Gods mercy Psal. 130. vers 4. and holds a man with a perpetuall will to God The vnbeleeuer either contemnes God and declares it by lewdnesse in his waies Prou. 14.2 Or if he feare it is either penall Esa. 33.14 like the diuells trembling or meere seruile to be a bridle to work some ciuility the chiefe obiect of it is euill of punishment The feare of the belieuer is ingenuous voluntary with confidence and ioy the chiefe obiect of it is euill of sinne not his owne distresse but Gods offence Fourthly Obedience a voluntary subiection of minde and heart to God to hearken to and to doe his will after that manner and to that end which hee appoints is not in an vnbeleeuer whose wisedome is enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 He is a seruant of sinne addicted to the wils of the flesh and minde to fulfill them not subiect to God nor can be Faith is the Mother of obedience by it wee receiue the spirit renewing our nature vnto delightsome agreement with Gods Law Ioh. 5.3.4 mouing vs by Gods mercies impelling vs by the loue of Christ to die to our selues to liue to him Fiftly Patience whereby vnder euills wee adide in Gods waies possesse our soules waite for God and giue him glory acknowledging his hand authoritie ouer vs and ours his wisedome righteousnes and goodnes is not in an vnbeleeuer for it is the daughter of faith and hope 1. Thes. 1.3 a fruit of the spirit Gal. 5.22 and is wrought in meditation and application of Gods promises of the gift of his sonne the pledge of all promises Rom. 8.31.32 and his presence with vs in trouble Psal. 91.15 moderating the temptation to the strength he giues that we may be able to beare it working our present good and promoting our future glory 2 Cor. 4. Vnbeleefe hath either senselesse stupiditie Ier. 5.3 or hardening and making the courage stout to indure the vttermost or a counterfeit humiliation whereby men flatter God to get out of his hands which if it succeed not their pride opens their mouth against God vnto stout words and their heart frets against the Lord. Esa. 58.3 Mal. 3.13.14 Sixtly Prayer an action of the heart wherein acknowledging the author of all goodnesse we inforce the powers of our soules to doe an immediate seruice to him to bring forward his decrees into execution no vnbeleeuer can rightly performe for it requires faith not onely of Gods essence and power but of his loue and good will to vs accepting our person and receiuing our prayer Mar. 11.24 Rom. 10.14 Heb. 11.6 Iam. 1.6 and it must be by the holy Ghost Iud. 2.20 It requires an vpright person Prou. 15.8 the oder of Christs sacrifice Reue. 8.4 And so is a note of saluatition Ioel. 2.38 Which is farre from an vnbeleeuer Seuenthly thanksgiuing or sacrificing praise to God cannot be rightly performed without faith for it requires a heart affected with this aboue all benefits that the Lord is our God which was declared by giuing thanks before the Ark the testimonie of Gods presence with his people it goeth thus thou art my God and I will thanke thee Psal. 118.28 With tast of his loue in the benefits as pledges of more to come as the valley of Achor for a dore of hope with pleasure in the commandement consecration of our selues and that we haue to God offered in the mediation of Christ for acception Vnbeleeuers though formally they may giue thanks conuinced that all good is from God carried by pride in preferment of their gifts before other men as the Pharisee Luk. 18.11 yet they bee more in prayers then in praises As they cannot giue thanks for spiritual benefits which are giuen onely in Christ to such as beleeue on him so neither for temporall freely feelingly with loue of the duty with tast of Gods loue and delight in him As a iudge that feasts a malefactor by the way who feares his hanging at a place appointed gets but heartlesse thanks of him so God for his bounty to an vnbeleeuer who still feares that he will destroy him after he hath done him good Vnbeleefe disables