Selected quad for the lemma: world_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
world_n	pure_a	religion_n	undefiled_a	1,985	5	11.7434	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61651	A rebuke to the informers with a plea for the ministers of the Gospel, called nonconformists, and their meetings and advice to those to whom these informers address themselves for assistance in their undertakings.	Stockton, Owen, 1630-1680.	1675 (1675)	Wing S5699; ESTC R34618	98,356	92

men in Gods account who walk in all his Ordinances and all his Commandments in a blameless manner Luk. 1.6 They were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless That evidence which is given of the righteousness of Zacbarias and Elizabeth may be given of these men they walk in all the Ordinances of God they have respect to all the Commandments of God and are blameless in their conversations They are baptized and baptize others in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost they often celebrate the Lords Supper they praise God in singing Psalms they keep holy the Sabbath day they pray to God in secret and pray in their Families they worship God in publick Assemblies as well as privately they are just sober temperate patient under afflictions c. 3. They visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and they keep themselves unspotted of the world and they that do so being sound in the Faith are Religious men and their Religion is pure and undefiled in the sight of God Jam. 1.27 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this To visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world They endeavour according to their abilities and their opportunities to do good unto all men And that is an argument that they are born of God 2 Joh. v. 11. He that doth good is of God 4. They train up their children and servants in the knowledg and the fear of the Lord and that is an evidence of a righteous man when he doth not only serve God and walk with God himself but teacheth his houshold to do so also Josh 24.15 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Cornelius his piety was evidenced by training up his house in the fear of God Act. 10.2 A devout man and one that feared God with all his house God takes special notice of Abrahams piety in that he was careful that his children and his whole house should keep the ways of the Lord Gen. 18.19 I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him If it be said Some think and speak otherwise of these Ministers which are called Nonconformists as if they were deceivers of the people and were not good men I answer 1. So did many among the Jews say of Christ and his Apostles Amongst the Jews there were differing thoughts concerning Jesus Christ Joh. 7.12 Some said he is a good man others said nay but he deceiveth the people There were as evil reports raised and as dishonourable speeches given out against the Apostles as there are against these men 2 Cor. 6.8 By honour and dishonour by evil and good report as deceivers and yet true 2. The Spirit of God foresaw that scandalous reports would be raised against righteous men and that they would be misrepresented in the world whereby many would be deceived and be ready to condemn the innocent and therefore he hath given us a sure rule to judg who is a righteous man He that doth righteousness he is a righteous man 1 Joh. 3.7 Little children let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous These men approve themselves to be righteous men by their constant care to do those things which are just and right in the sight of God and men 3. Their adversaries that reproach them would be glad to be in their condition when they dye then they will wish that their last end may be like theirs If any say Do you know all those Ministers which are called Nonconformists that you know them to be righteous men I answer 1. With some of them I have had intimate acquaintance for several years and have fully known their Doctrine and manner of life and I am abundantly satisfied in what I have asserted that they are men of sound judgments of upright holy and exemplary conversations And Charity obligeth me to believe and hope the like of the rest although I have no personal acquaintance with them 2. If any Minister that goeth under the name of a Nonconformist be not a righteous man I plead not his cause but dislike and disown such a man as much as the Conformists do And as these Ministers are righteous men so there are many of those that come to their Assemblies I say not that they are all righteous that come to their Meetings for the Gospel is like a Net which draweth good and bad but this I say there are many righteous persons come to their Assemblies such as are of an holy blameless conversation well reported of for good works who have no other design in frequenting these Meetings than the glorifying God and the saving their own souls 2. Praying to God in the Name of Jesus Christ for things agreeable to his will and Preaching and Hearing of Gods Word are good works Prayer is a good work 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. I exhort therefore that first of all supplication prayer intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1. It is commanded of God v. 8. I will therefore that men pray every-where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting These words may relate to verse 3 where the Apostle had told us that praying for all men is good and acceptable in the sight of God And therefore commands that men pray every-where 2. Prayer when made by upright men is delightful to God Prov. 15.3 The prayer of the upright is his delight 3. God promiseth great blessings to them that pray to him as eternal life Rom. 10.13 Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved The giving of the Holy Ghost Luk. 11.13 Your heavenly Father will give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Yea all good things Psal 31.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing And as Praying so Preaching of the Gospel is a good work For 1. It is commanded by God Mark 16.15 Go ye into all the world preach the Gospel to every creature 2. It doth great good to the souls of men It turns them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God It is the great instrument of saving mens souls even that preaching which the world counteth foolishness 1 Cor. 1.20 It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 3. God promiseth to reward this work with a Crown of glory 1 Pet. 5.1 2 4. The Elders which are among you I exhort Feed the flock of God which is among you And when the chief Shepherd