Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	christian_n	pray_v	prayer_n	1,383	5	6.4846	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88578	A Christians duty and safety in evill times Delivered in severall sermons, upon four texts of scripture, viz. Christ's prayer the saints support, on Iohn 17 15[.] A divine ballance to weigh all doctrines by, on 1 Thes.5. 21[.] A Christians great enquiry, on Acts 16.30, 31[.] A description of true blessedness, on Luke 11. 28[.] By that faithfull messenger of Jesus Christ, Mr Christopher Love, late minister of Laurence-jury, London. Whereunto is annexed The saints rest, or Their happy sleep in death. As it was delivered in a sermon at Aldermanbury, London. Aug. 24. 1651. By Edmund Calalmy. B. D.	Love, Christopher, 1618-1651.; Calamy, Edumnd, 1600-1666. Saints rest.	1653 (1653)	Wing L3147; Thomason E1434_3-4; ESTC R209589	82,542	242

that thou art under a Covenant of Grace which doth not require a perfect but a sincere obedience to the Law of God which accepts of the Will for the deed O remember that thou art not under a Covenant of works but a Covenant of Grace which accepts of what Christ hath done and suffered for thee if thou art a beleiver as if done in thine own person Though indeed that is true which Christ said to the young man Math. 19.17 If thou wilt enter in to Life keep the Commandements Yet you must know that Christ spake this unto him because he knew him to bee of a Pharisaicall temper and that he thought to bee saved by his good works But if Christ should say thus unto any of us thou shalt goe to Heaven if thou keepest every Command thou shalt never goe to Heaven if thou breakest any one Command The Lord have mercy on us we should then all perish to eternity But Christ saith Beleive and live Now promise not work is the object of Faith V●nl●m tanquam ex fide non ex debito sper●mus Rom. 4.16 Therefore Ambrose was wont to say let us hope for pardon as of faith not of debt In a word make conscience to keep what thou hearest bewaile thine inabillity to fullf●ill the Law of God do what thou canst mourn that thou canst doe no better and then God will say though thou canst not keep the Law compleatly yet my Sonne hath kept it for thee I accept of his obedience as thy obedience and his righteousnesse as thy righteousnesse O what grace and mercy is here how may this chear up your hearts in the midst of all discouragments that lie upon you Again for thy comfort know that if in sincerity of heart thou endeavourest to keep what thou hearest in divine acceptation it is all one as if thou hadst perfectly kept all that thou hearest If it bee the desire and labour of thy soul to obay Gods Will and observe his Commands in divine acceptation it is looked upon as if it were actually done by thee It is worthy your notice what is said Heb. 11.17 By faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up Isaac and hee that had received the promise offered up his only begotten Son Abraham did not actually doe it But because Abraham did it in the purpose of his heart because the desire and resolution of his soule was to obay Gods Command therefore the Scripture accounts it as done O take this for thy comfort thou that art a son of Abraham that walkest in the steps and faith of Abraham the very desires and purposes of thine heart are looked upon as if they were really and actually done If thou wouldest pray better hear better and practise more then thou doest in divine account this is looked upon as if thou hadst already done it FINIS THE SAINTS REST OR Their happy Sleep in DEATH As it was delivered in A SERMON At Aldermanbury London Aug. 24. 1651 being the next Lords Day after Mr LOVE was put to death By EDMUND CALAMY B. D. Iohn 11.11 Our friend Lazarus sleepeth Psalm 116.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the Death of his Saints LONDON Printed for E Brewster and G Sawbridge at the signe of the Bible on Ludgate-hill near Fleetbridge 1653 THE Saints Rest OR Their happy sleep in Death Text. Acts 7.60 the later part And when hee had said this hee fell asleep THese words contain in them the happy closure and upshot of Stephens life wherein we have three particulars 1. The Person that fell asleep 2. The Speech that he made when he fell asleep 3. What he did when he had finished his Speech First We have the Person that fell asleep and that was Stephen He was a man full of faith and full of the Holy-Ghost as you may see Acts 6.5 He was the first Martyr that ever suffered for the cause of Christ hence I might gather this Doctrine viz. That the best of men are subject to violent and unnatural deaths Stephen that was full of the Holy Ghost was stoned to death and Iohn the Baptist that was full of the Holy-Ghost from the very womb was beheaded Peter was crucified and so was Andrew Isaiah was sawed asunder Ieremiah was stoned and Zacharias was slain between the Temple and the Altar But I shall passe this The second part of the Text is the Speech that Stephen made when hee fell asleep Hoc dicto obdormivit that is when hee had finished his prayer He fell asleep Hence observe That it is an excellent way to close up our lips with prayer To die praying is a most Christian way of dying They stoned Stephen calling upon God After this manner Christ died hee prayed Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and having thus said he gave up the ghost This he did that it might be a patern to all Christians Prayer is a necessary duty at all times but especially when we are adying and that for these three Reasons 1. Because when we are to die we have most need of Gods help for then the Devil is most busie and we most weak 2 Because when we are to die wee are to beg the greatest boon of God that is that he would receive us into his heavenly Kingdom Now prayer is the chiefe means to obtain this mercy for it is Porta Coeli Clavis Paradisi the Gate of Heaven a Key to let us into Paradise Therefore we have great reason to die praying 3. Because when a Saint of God is dying he is then to take his last fare well of prayer In Heaven there is no praying but all thanksgiving there is no need in Heaven therefore no prayer in Heaven Now a Saint of God being to take his leave of prayer when he is to die therefore it is fit he should die praying I beseech you remember this pattern in the Text St Stephen died caling upon the Lord. Let us die praying as that Emper or said Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori so may I say Oportet Christianum mort praecantem it behoves a Christian to die praying Quest But what was the substance of Stephens prayer Answ He prayed for himselfe and he prayed for his persecutors 1 He prayed for himselfe Lord Iesus receive my spirit verse 59. 2 Hee prayed for his persecutors Lord lay not this to their charge v. 60. I will not enter upon this part of the Text for it would swallow up all my time Therefore I shall wave it and come to the third part which is that which by Gods assistance I purpose to speak unto viz. What Stephen did when hee had finished his prayer When he had sayd this he fell asleep that is he died Behold here the magnanimity the piety and the Christian courage of Stephen The people were stoning of him and gnashing their teeth upon him and the good man dies with as much quietnesse of minde as if he had died in his bed he fell

A CHRISTIANS Duty and Safety IN Evill Times Delivered in severall Sermons upon four Texts of Scripture viz. Christ's Prayer the Saints support on Iohn 17 15 A Divine Ballance to weigh all Doctrines by on 1 Thes 5.21 A Christians great Enquiry on Acts 16.30 31 A Description of True Blessedness on Luke 11.28 By that faithfull Messenger of Jesus Christ Mr CHRISTOPHER LOVE Late Minister of Laurence-jury London Whereunto is annexed The Saints Rest or Their Happy Sleep in Death As it was delivered in a Sermon at Aldermanbury London Aug. 24. 1651. By EDMUND CALAMY B. D. LONDON Printed for E. Brewster and George Sawbridge at the sign of the Bible on Ludgate-hill near Fleet-bridge 1653 TO The Christian READER ALthough God had blessed Mr Love with great abilities yet such was his humility that he judged few or none of his Sermons worthy publique view as hee often sayd to his friends after he had received the Sentence of death yet it is admireable to consider what good entertainment all those pieces have found which have hitherto been published As by this providence God putteth much honour upon the name and memory of this good man so upon this account his deare widdow and friends are prevailed with by importunity to yeeld unto the printing of more Sermons though they bee neither so full nor exact as doubtlesse they would have been if they had come abroad from the Authors own Pen. The matter is wholsome seasonable and profitable much savoring of his gracious spirit who preached them and manifesting unto the world the workings both of his heart and life being zealously devoted unto the service of Christ and Christians soules hereby this faithfull Minister of Christ Jesus though dead yet still speaketh And although he hath finished his Testimony upon earth yet hee is still by his workes serviceable in the land of the living Endeavor in good earnest to make a spirituall improvement of these and such like Helps put by divine providence into thy hand and let the Lord be magnified in thy conversation for all that soul-advantage which thou mayst receive Labour to bee well rooted in the Truths of the Gospell bear up couragiously against the evill of these declining times and because multitudes do shamefully disgrace their Profession by their carnall selfe-seeking and apostacy therefore doe thou the rather hold forth the power of godlinesse in waies of selfe-deniall and faith unto the honour of Christ In him we are Thy Friends and Servants SIMEON ASHE EDM CALAMY JER WHITAKER The Contents of the following Sermons Text. Iohn 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the World But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil The context opened page 1 Four things Observable in the Prayer of Christ Page 2. 1. The time when he made this Frayer pag. 2 Observation It is warantable and commendable for Ministers to pray after their preaching page 2 Observation Christians should then have most holy and ardent affections in their breasts when they are even leaving of this World page 4 Christs practise should be our pattern p. 5 2. The Gesture he used pag. 6. 3. The Manner of his praying pag. 7. 1 He aimed at Gods glory page 7 2 He prayed to God his Father ibid 3 He prayed for his Disciples page 8 4. The matter for what he prayed pag 9. The words of the Text explained page 10. Two Reasons why Christ would not pray that his Disciples might be taken out of the World page 12 1. Doctrin It is not warrantable for any to wish for death because of persecutions or afflictions which they sear or feele pag. 13. Three Reasons of the point 1. Because our lives are great blessings pag. 14. 2. It is more commendable to pray for a sanctified use of Affliction then for deliverance from it p. 15. 3. There is much honour to be gained by a patient bearing of affliction p. 15. Use for Reprehension of such as wish for the day of their death page 16 2 Doctrin In some cases it is lawfull for a man to wish for death p. 19. 1. When he desires it not because of sufferings but because of sin pag. 19. 2 That he may thereby have a more full enjoyment of Christ p. 20 3 Doctrin It is not the desire of Iesus Christ that any of his servants should die so long as he hath any work for them to doe in this Wortd p. 21. Three Uses 1 For Counsel that you would desire to live no longer then that you may serve God and do good to others page 22 2 For Reproofe of those who are hastening to the grave and yet have not begun the work for which God sent them into the World page 26 3 For Comfort when you have finished your work then you shall goe to receive your wages page 31 4 Doctrin No man dies but God doth take him away page 33. Were our lives in owr own hands we should live to long were they in our enemies hands we should die to soon p. 34 5 Doctrin It may be a great comfort to the people of God that they have the prayer of Iesus Christ to keep them from evill whilst they live in the World page 35 Two questions resolved for the clearing of this Doctrine page 36.37 The efficasy of Christ's Prayer continues for ever page 38 Six practical Inferences 1 Christs Prayer should not exclude our prayers p. 40. 2 Christ is praying for us before the Devil is tempting of us p. 42. 3 The remembrance of Christs prayer should check sinfull Motions in us page 43. 4 Christ prayer must not lessen our care page 44 5 There is a pronesse in our nature to be defiled with the evil of the times p. 45. 6 Every man by nature is unable to keep himselfe p. 45 Five Directions how to accomplish the ●rayer of Christ 1 Avoyd all disputing with the Devil page 47 2 Avoyd all occasions unto sin p. 48 3 Consider the Al-seeing eye of God page 49. 4 Chuse suffering rather then sin p. 50 5 Flee to Christ for refuge p. 51 Text 1 Thes 5.21 Prove all things Hold fast that which is good The context opened p. 53 VVhat is meant by prophesying p. 54 Doctrine From the Conrext viz. Those that have attained unto the highest perfection of grace and knowledge that it is possible for men in this life to attain unto are not to despise or neglect the Ordinances of Iesus Christ page 57 1 Reason Our Sanctification is not perfect in this life page 59 2 Reason Sin lyes hidden in the secret corners of the heart page 60 The words of the Text explained VVe must hold fast the truths of the Gospel in judgment that we run not into error page 63 In practise that wee run not into sinne page 64 Doctrine It is the duty of all hearers of the Word to try and prove all Doctrines which they hear page 65 Four Cautions about trying of Doctrines 1 People must not

successe to attend their Ministry page 168 3 By comparing our times with the time in which the Gospell was first planted page 169 4 Because in these dayes more people are perverted from the truth of the Gospel then converted thereby page 171 Five Demonstrations that wee are in danger to have the Gospell removed from us It appears 1 By that implacable opposition that is in the professors of the Gospell against the Preachers thereof page 172 2 By the general wantonnesse and wearynesse of people in living under the Gospell page 174 3 By the tolleration of such opinions as are contrary to the Gospell p. 175 4 By the encrease of damnable errors and heresies p. 176 5 By that implacable opposition that is again●● the settlement of Church government p. 177 When the Gospel goeth from a people all goeth 1 Peace goeth p. 178 2 Plenty goeth ibid 3 Safety goeth ibid 4 Civill liberty goeth p. 9 5 The Dignity and splendor of a Nation goeth ibid. Object No man can keep what be heareth p. 180 Answer The Covenant of Grace doth not require a perfect but a sincere obedience page 181 Finis Christ's Prayer The Saints Support Text. 17 Iohn 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the World But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil THis chapter contains in it the last and most solemn prayer which we finde on Record that ever Christ made in the world with and for his Disciples when he was to remove his person from them even then he would leave a prayer behinde him the greatest Legacy that he could bequeath unto them This whole 17 chapter from the begining to the end is made up only of Christ's Prayer unto his Father And in this so sollemn a Prayer and the last Prayer that Christ made with his Disciples There are four things observable 1. The time when he made this Prayer 2. The Gesture he used 3. The Manner how he prayed 4. The Matter for what he prayed The time when he made this Prayer is set down two wayes 1. Circumstāce of the ●ime when 1 It was immediately after he had preached a publique Sermon v. 1. Hence observe That it is warrantable and commendable for Ministers to pray after their preaching 1 Observacion This I name the rather because in this age there are a generacion of men who judge otherwise But it is here set down to be the practise of Jesus Christ himself so to do after he had preached he lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed And it is Luthers note That a good prayer ought for to follow a good Sermon Luther And here by the way take notice that ye that attend upon the ministry of the Gospel must like wise go to God in prayer after ye have heard his Word when we have done preaching then you must begin your praying It is a good observacion of holy Greenham I am perswaded that one great reason why there is so little good done by all our preaching is Greenhā because though there is much preaching in the pulpit yet there is little or no praying in the Closet The other Circumstance of time when Christ made this sollemn 2 Circū of the time when and affectionate prayer is this It was the day before he was to die for assoon as he had done this prayer Iudas came with a band of men to betray him chap. 18. v. 1 2. hence observe from Christ's example That Christians should then have most holy 2 Observacion and ardent affections in their brests when they are even leaving of this World Iesus Christ prayed well at all times but he prayed most affectionately a little before he was to die Luke 22 4● That passage is observable 22 Luke 44. And being in an agony be prayed the more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Iesus Christ when he was in an agony and lay groveling up on the ground sweating drops of blood prayed yet the more earnestly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or he prayed the more vehemently drawing forth his affections to the utmost And the Apostle Paul speaking hereof sayth Heb. 5.7 5. Heb. 7. Who in the dayes of his flesh offered up prayers and supplications with strong cryings and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared Christ prayed with strong cries alluding to that earnest Prayer which Christ uttered in the Garden Luke 22.19 Luke 22.19 as appears by these words In that he feared viz. That bitter Cup those unspeakable pains which he endured in his agony when the whole power of darkness set upon him Here you see that lesus Christ prayed with most fervent zeale and holy affection just before he was to die for the Apostle is there treating of Christ's Priesthood and offering up himselfe a sacrifice for sin Now as it was with Iesus Christ Christs practice should be our paern so should it be with you before you come to die you should then have most holy most heavenly and ardent affections in your breasts Let heaven at that time especially posesse your souls when your souls are going to posess heaven O beloved in this regard you should be like the Swan which sings the sweetest songs before its death let your sweetest songs be like Simeons * Luke 2 29. when ye come to die then say Lord let thy servant depart in peace The second Circumstance considerable in this prayer of Christ 2 Circū the gesture Christ used is the Gesture he used therein He Lifted up his eyes to heaven and sayd Father c. It is true Gestures are not simply necessary in any duty It is not simply necessary to kneel in prayer yet Gestures may be helpful to us in prayer Christ lifted up his eyes to signifie that his heart was where his eyes were Beloved when ye lift up your eyes towards heaven in prayer it should note that your heart is in heaven I am sure with Christ it was thus though with you it may be otherwise It may be thine eye is towards heaven in a prayer when at the same time thine heart is towards thy shop towards thine evil company towards thy whores or wicked companions Remember O Man to keep thine heart as well as thine eye toward heaven in prayer let your hearts and your eyes be both towards the same place Christ lift up his eyes to heaven in prayer and his heart was there also and so should it be with you The third Circumstance in this prayer of Christ 3 Circu● the Maner of Christs praying was the manner of praying and that is expressed three ways in this chapter 1 He did aime at Gods glory 1. Christ aimed at Gods glory as the cheif End of all things he prayed for and this should be a directory for your prayers Iohn 17.1 Glorify thy Son that thy Son

heare for the manner but also what you heare for the matter so the Evangelist expresseth it Mark 4.24 Take heed what you heare Mark 4.24 The Physician may be authorized to practise and yet may prescribe dangerous potions the Minister may be true as to his Office and yet a false Teacher as to his Doctrine and so to be rejected we must not only look to the messenger but to the message And if any man whatever hee bee preach any other Gospel than this Gal. ●al 2 ● 1.8 let him be accursed These erronious and seducing Doctrines are the Devils tares and the preaching of them is the Devils seed time and if wee would not have these tares to grow in our field wee must not bee present where the Devil soweth them for we must know that a Christian may be poisoned to death as well as starved therefore it is the duty of Christians to take heed what they heare lest they swallow down poison instead of wholsom food soul damning opinions instead of the sincere milk of God's Word 1 Pet. 2.2 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word not the fantasticall Notions and Opinions of vain minded men Will yee look to the food of your bodies and will yee not minde the food of your soules will yee bee carefull that that be bread and bread indeed that yee feed upon for bodily strength and will ye be so carelesse as to feed upon husks and poison for your soules Therefore take heed what ye heare and whom ye heare for sin first entereth in by the eare and the Apostle saith 1 Cor 15.33 1 Cor. 15.33 Evill words corrupt good manners So this is the first Caution when ye are bid to prove all things you have not thereby a liberty given you to hear all sorts of Preachers Secondly when the Apostle saith 2 Caution wee must not bee scepticks in Religion prove all things hee never intended that men should be unstable in Christianity scepticks in Religion wandering stars never fixed in the truths of the Gospel like Seekers for so they may very well be called who settle no where but are alwaies finding out new Truths with their new Lights which usually in the End prove to be nothing but old Errors The Colossians were called upon to seek rooting and establishment in the faith Col. 2.7 Col. 2.7 Thirdly 3 caution wee musi not bring the Scripture to ●u● opinion but our opinion to the Scripture In proveing all Doctrines that you heare be sure you doe not bring the Scripture to your opinion but bring your opinion to the Scripture for the Scripture teacheth nothing but truth and commandeth nothing but goodnesse Many force the Scriptures to speak that which was never intended by the Holy-Ghost that so they may seeme to countenance those erronious opinions which are divulged Quicquid in Scriptura docetur ●eritas quicquid praecipitur bonitas they set the Scriptures as it were upon the wrack to make them confess that which they never intended thus it was with Hereticks of old and this also is their practice in our daies they deal with the Scripture as he did with the Oracle of Delphos to make it speak what he meant But this is the Caution that I would give Doe not bring your sence to the Scripture but labour to carry away the Holy-ghosts sence from the Scripture 4 Caution Be not over consident of your own opinion Fourthly In proving the Doctrins that you hear Lean not too much to your own understanding think not your selves infallible bee not over confident of your own opinion in matters controversial especially if contrary to the judgment of those who are eminent both for guifts and grace Ponder the Scriptures throughly and seek unto God by prayer before ye resolve in matters that are ambiguous Pro. 4.26 Ponder the path of thy feet Having dispatched the Cautions I shall give the Reasons why men must try the Doctrines that they hear First 1 Reason There is a neare resemblance betwixt er tonions and true Teachers Because erronious and corrupt Teachers may carry a very near resemblance to them that preach the truth I have read of two Painters Parrhasius and Zeuxis who contending for the mastery in that Art the one painted Grapes so exactly that the birds came to pick them thinking they had been very Grapes And the other painted a Curtain so exactly that his fellow Painter came to draw it supposing that it had bin a real Curtain There is such a near affinitie betwixt sound Teachers and seducing Teachers that it is no easie matter for a man to discern betwixt them But all is not gold that glisters 2 Cor. 11.13 14. A notable Text you have for this 2 Cor. 11.13 14. For such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light False Apostles may transforme themselves so as to be like the Apostles of Christ and Ministers of the Devil factors for hell may transforme themselves so as to be like the Ministers of Jesus Christ Therefore there is good reason that you should try all Doctrines that you hear whether they bee agreable to the Word of God or no. Secondly 2 Reason the Scripture foretels that there shall be many false Teachers Because the Word of God doth foretell that there shall be as many if not more false Teachers under the new Testament then under the old and more in the later daies then were in the former ages of the world this is plain from that Text of Scripture 2 Pet. 2.1 2 Pet. 2.1 But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction They were of old under the Law they shall be with you under the Gospel Although the Pharisees are dead who corrupted the Law yet the same Spirit still lives in men and will doe to the End of the World The Apostle gives this as a reason why we should try such Doctrines as we hear because in the times of the new Testament many false Teachers will appear 1 John 4.1 1 John 4.1 Beleive not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the World Believe not every man that saith he hath the Spirit and that the Spirit doth teach him that Doctrine that he preacheth but try whether it be agreable to the Word of God or no and the reason he gives is because there are many not few false Prophets and those not gone into a corner or bound up in one part of the World indeed in former time the nest of them was enclosed in one part of the World in Germany and especially in Amsterdam But now