Selected quad for the lemma: world_n
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A56403
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A sermon preached before the Lord Bishop of Chichester at Lewes at his first visitation there / by Timothy Parker ...
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Parker, T. (Timothy)
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1676
(1676)
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Wing P484; ESTC R34545
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16,490
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40
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We may by this happy Union of Purity both in Life and Doctrine be Instruments of begetting such a quick and lively sense of Religion in the hearts of men such a serious and sober practice of it in their lives such a Zeal in them to transmit it down to their Posterity that the places we live in may be the better for us to the World's end and all after-Ages may reap the fruits of our endeavours The whole Christian World hold their Religion at this day from those that were the first Planters of it every Age since hath been irradiated with their light and swayed by their Great Examples The Children of Light in all after Ages acknowledge them for their spiritual Fathers and the Generations yet to come will rise up and call them blessed They had extraordinary Abilities you 'l say and brought Credentials from Heaven the Gift of Miracles to attest the Truth of their Doctrine 'T is true they had so and so 't was necessary they should being to propagate a new Doctrine a Doctrine so contrary to all the Religions then received in the World they being so few and having such a wide Province as the World assigned them and that so entirely captivated by Satan But God who proportions the measure of his Gifts to the necessities of the Age in which they are to be employed is not wanting to bestow upon us even in this Age what 's needful for the maintenance of true Religion and succesful opposition to the Kingdom of Darkness Inspired Gifts and Miracles were then necessary to convert a Heathen World Abilities acquired by God's blessing on our own Industry employed with honest hearts seconded by good example influenced by the Spirit of God are as sufficient for this Age as Miracles were for that Manna wane cessary in the Wilderness where all ordinary and natural supplies were wanting but when Israel arrived in Canaan where the necessities of life were supplied in a natural way from the Plenty and Fertility of the Soil their miraculous food ceased nor do we find that stubborn mutinous People ever repining at the loss of it their necessities being amply provided for without it I perswade my self were Miracles necessary for the Age we live in we should not want them The Spirit of God sent on purpose to enable for the Work of the Ministry doth still afford all necessary Aids Inspired Gifts indeed are ceased and Miracles but the gracious effects of it upon the Hearts of men attending our Ministry are still continued Where ever I see a Soul that 's humble and pure and charitable rejoycing in God despising the World patient in Sufferings and forgiving injuries and enemies there I am sure the Spirit of God hath Breathed Nay there he dwells And thanks be to God the World is not so degenerate but that many of this temper may be found that owe this Renovation of their minds to the influence of the Divine Grace upon them in the use of the present Ministry So that what was adapted to the Circumstances of the first Ages of Christianity that is ceased but what things accompany Salvation what tend to renewing the Image of God in the minds of men fitting them to be partakes of the Inheritance of the Saints in light these are still continued and shall be to the World's end Let us therefore my Brethren acquit our selves like faithful Stewards in the Discharge of our mighty Trust Those Souls that were redeemed with the blood of God are committed to our care Let not what was so dear to him be vile and cheap with us Let us think no pains too great no labour and circumspection too much to be used in such a weighty affair Cursed saith the Prophet is he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently And the more important the Work is the heavier will be the Curse upon either total neglect or lazy performance We have two Powerful Engines to reform a depraved World the Purity of our Doctrine and the Piety of our Lives and they never work kindly and effectually but in Conjunction Never Conjunction of happy Stars ever portended such Blessings to the World as these Gemella Sydera these Twin-Lights when they twist their beams and shed their united Influence upon it These would make us such a Light of the World as would chase all works of darkness out of it the Rulers of the darkness of this World would not be able to stand before us if we put on this Armour of Light A knowing and well instructed Piety is both Armour and Ornament Armour both of defence and offence the weapons of our warfare that will render us succesful in fighting the Lord's Battels signally instrumental in reducing a stubborn rebellious World to obedience to the Laws of our Blessed Saviour the Captain of our Salvation Let but this Command in the Text be obeyed and we are secure of his Aids whose Banners we fight under For if our Light so shine before men they will see our Good Works and Glorifie our Father which is in Heaven We shall hereby secure our own Salvation credit the Gospel rejoyce the Angels in converting Sinners make all good men with thankful hearts and tongues bless God for us and our selves after we have for a while been burning and shining Lights in the World shine as Stars for ever and ever in the Upper Regions of Light and Bliss FINIS ERRATA Page 7. line 27. read enlightning for illightning page 17. line 19 read Epictetus for Epectetas