Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	church_n	good_a	holy_a	1,129	5	4.2899	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77987	Habakkuks prayer applyed to the churches present occasions, on Hab. 3. 2. And Christs counsel to the church of Philadelphia, on Rev. 3. 11. / Preached before the provincial assembly of London. By that late reverend and faithful minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Samuel Balmford, pastor of Albons Woodstreet.	Balmford, Samuel, d. 1659?	1659 (1659)	Wing B608; Thomason E1910_2; ESTC R209972	36,857	123

it in this sense infringe the certainty of the perseverance and salvation of the Saints Answ No it doth not For in the community of a visible Church there is a mixture of Hypocrites with sincere Professors Now Hypocrites may lose the Crown of glory because they never had really either true Faith or holinesse but onely seemed to have them and therefore though they lose that Crown which was proposed to them to runne and strive and labour for yet is not the tenure of divine Election in the least weakened by their failing because though they were called externally yet not elected and never had the faith or grace of the Elect. And for sincere Christians who onely are elected though they shall not lose the Crown prepared and reserved for them yet they have need of such caveats as this Partly to minde them though they be kept by the power of God to salvation yet in themselves there is a Principle of defection and Apostacy and were they left unto themselves they should let go all grace and lose all glory and therefore need be the more wary Partly to keep them from loosenesse and defection for Exhortations and Admonitions from the mouth of God and set on by the Spirit of God are instrumental in Gods hand to stirre them up to duty and hold them in ●erseverance The premisses considered O Beloved how should we be strengthened in our resolutions and actuated in our strongest endeavours to stand fast and hold fast that truth that grace and all those spiritual liberties and priviledges bestowed upon us Use 3 Use 3. A third Use of this point may be to give and take some Directions for the more effectual practice of this Rule since it is a thing both of so much difficulty and of so great consequence to observe it In the way of hopefull means therefore be pleased to take notice of these few particulars 1. Would we hold fast what good we have personally and Ecclesiastically Then take an humble recognition of our own weaknesse respectively It is said of this Church of Philadelphia a little before at ver 8. that she had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little strength and indeed this duty of holdfast is directed neither to livelesse persons nor meer impotent persons in spiritual respects but it was but a little strength So it was with her that was one of the best of the sisters we are then to be humbly apprehensive of the smalnesse of our own strength even when we are at the best And then besides we may reflect back and consider whether in some particulars we have not slipped back with Ephesus and fallen from our first love and whether we are not in some particulars in a languishing condition as Sardis and so need to strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye But I say we are to be humbly sensible of our little strength at the best and that will dispose us to more care to hold fast what we have c. 2. Take we and keep we fast hold on God by Faith and in the frequent exercise of Prayer imitating Jacob in not letting of him go He looks that his people should do so even to take hold of him and his strength in a good sense Isa 27. 5. not in a way of presumptuous contest with him but for our own support by him Stirre up our selves to lay hold on him Isa 64 7. For why Qui habet habentem omnia habet omnia so Qui retinet c. In his own might shall no man no Church be strong but we may be able to do all things through Christ strengthening us and therefore we are alwaies to walk and act in the strength of the Lord Psal 71. 16. Maintain sound Doctrine in the strength of the Lord keep the way of holinesse in the strength of the Lord perform all church-Church-duties in the strength of the Lord c. 3. Let it be our holy covetous aime to be getting more of that good which we are to hold fast Men of the world are ready to think that in externall things if they be not on the increasing hand they are on the diminishing And what shall we think of our condition in Spirituals If we look into the Evangelical Parable of the servants that had Talents or Pounds committed to their usance we may finde the evill servant there keeping his Talent and wrapping it up in a napkin and did he not then hold it fast but that proved neither pleasing to his Master nor comfortable to himself because he should have been imploying and improving it which because he was not therefore he was said not to have and sentenced to have that taken from him which he onely seemed to have For without some improvement a stock cannot long be kept entire together Wherefore in spiritual things beloved if we would with Philadelphia hold fast what we have we must affect the commendation of Thyatira Chap. 2. 19 to have our last works more than our first to advance in solid knowledge in true and sincere holinesse and if it be possible to have our after Church-Ministery Church-Assemblies Church-Administrations better than our former This I say must still be our aime or otherwise we shall be soon cast backward when men are in a broad wheele either to crane up things from the earth or to draw up baskets out of the water they are still steping forward or else they could not stay in the same place and circumstances of posture where they are as it is also with Birds in a turning bellcage And so when Christians or Church-Members are set into such a frame as the wheele of occurrents is still turning upon them either they must be still stepping forward or else they cannot keep the same sight of their station but be driven backward and overturned 4. We must be industrious and zealous in all the affairs which make for the preservation and improvement of what we have I commend that cluster of Apostolical precepts unto you in Rom. 12. 11. Be not sloathfull in businesse but fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. And these are connexed and subordinate one to the other First Not sloathfull i. e. neither altogether idle nor remisse or carelesse how we do what we pretend to be doing how slowly how seldom how slightly For he that is sloathfull in his work is brother to him that is a great waster Prov. 18. 9. so farre will he prove from a holder fast of what he hath For the sloathful gets nothing as the waster spends all and so in their emptiness and needinesse they come to shake hands together Again If we would not be sloathfull we must be fervent in Spirit for sloathfulnesse is from coldnesse of temper corporally or spiritually and activity is from heat and fervency so that unless one be somewhat zealous he cannot be constantly laborious As the light is gone in a manner when the flame of a candle is extinguished and the fire will quickly

all Gods people though I may interlace something that will bear respect to Church-Angels and Officers For the opening of this consider we 1. What it is which the Churches and people of God respectively are to hold fast since every thing that every one hath is not worthy to be held fast 2. How they are to hold that fast or what their fast holding is in way of duty First That which Philadelphia and so other approved Churches of Christ had worthy to be held fast was 1. The Word of God and the Name of God thou hast kept my Word and hast not denyed my Name said Christ ver 8. Under this Word and Name of God c. is to be understood that whole truth whereby God in Christ had revealed and manifested himself and his will unto his Church whereby his Church knows what he is and what he hath done and what he hath willed and commanded his people to believe and do Hence it was said to the Church of Sardis ver 3. Remember how thou hast received and heard and hold fast c. Part of which truth Philadelphia is minded of ver 7. in that description of Christ from his 1. Holinesse 2. Truth and 3. Having the key of David which three Branches point at his three Offices Priestly Prophetical Kingly as some judiciously learned think 2. The Ordinances of God for Gospel worship and Church Administrations are insinuated in this context as enjoyed by Philadelphia For mark it Christ remembers her that he had set before her an open door and no man could shut it ver 8. i. e. He had given her fair opportunities and open and large means for the propagating of the Gospel and advancing of Gospel-work many bars of obstruction and hindrance being removed out of the way So that Gospel-Administrations had free course or passage among them as 't is said it had among the Thessalonians 2 Thes 3. 1. Yea we may gather from part of his Title which he purposely takes up in writing to her viz. He that hath the key of David that he had not onely used his key for opening to her but likewise given her the keys both of Doctrine and Discipline Ministerial under himself to open and shut unto others And no doubt this Church was not wanting to that according to her power which was commended in that of Ephesus cap. 2. 2. viz. in not bearing with those that were evil but trying them which said they were Apostles and finding them lyars c. 3. Good works or practice according to the Word and Ordinances of God For 't is the first part of Christ his testimony given to her that He knew i. e. approved her works at the beginning of v. 8. And what might her works be Doubtless of as good account as any of her sisters works of charity and service and faith patience as were her sisters of Thyatira cap. 2. 19. And for patience it is expressed here ver 10. that she keep the word of his patience i. e. she exercised patience according to Christ his word and prescription So that to summe up all and according to the tenour of other Scriptures compared with this if the people of God be considered in the general notion All that which they are to hold fast is 1. soundnesse of Doctrine and 2. Holinesse of life and conversation which are mentioned together in 1 Tim. 1. 19. Holding faith and a good conscience c. To hold faith there is to hold the Doctrine of faith or to hold fast the form of sound words as 't is phrased 2 Tim. 1. 13. And ro hold a good conscience is to hold such a practice according to that rule of faith as an enlightned conscience may witnesse to be good or to be rightly consciencious in walking and working according to that rule Again if the people of God be considered collectively as embodied together in a Church frame and order that which they are to hold fast is those Church-Ordinances which Christ hath given them whether about duties of worship to God or government among themselves or about the enjoyment of those liberties or priviledges or powers which he hath granted them In reference to which under-Ordinances the most judicious understand the Apostle speaking thus to Timothy I charge thee in the sight of God c. that thou keep this Commandment i. e. that body or rule of Commandment laid down in the premises without spot unrebukeable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim 6. 13. 14. This for the object that is to be held fast Sect. Next for the manner of holding fast what is it The Holy Ghost useth sundry words in several places which are all of them sometimes rendred by our Translators into these terms of holding fast yet of somewhat different importment But by collection of them together we may more fully take up the nature of this duty When St. Paul bids Timothy 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold them as having and retaining them by thee in possession But there is more than that barely in this duty For when Christ bids the Church of Sardis supra ver 3. Remember what thou hast received and heard and hold fast c. his word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold or keep or observe with all diligence as that which is committed to ones carefull custody But yet there is more imported in this duty For when Christ bids the Church in Thyatira That which ye have already hold fast till I come cap. 2. 25. his word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the same word radically is used here in our Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hold fast strongly use not onely a carefull eye in keeping but put to they utmost strength in holding fast that which thou hast that keeping it vigorously thou mayst keep it also perseverantly and constantly to the end And a perseverant holding fast is here intended by Christ as well as cap. 2. 25. as may be gathered from the annexed Motives Now unto this strong and vigorous holding fast of Truth and Holinesse Faith and good Conscience there is requisite 1. Firm purpose of heart and stedfast resolution of will to persevere in the profession of sound faith and Doctrine and in the execution of Gods commands according to place and power and in the practice of holinesse c. If there be not first strength in the will and resolution there will be none found in external practice and exercise The vigour of the heart conduceth much to the vigour of the hand or foot Hence it was that good man and full of the holy Ghost exhorted the Christians at Antioch that with purpose of heart If there be weaknesse in the spirits there will be weakness in the joynts if weakness in the heart weaknesse in hands and limbs they would cleave unto the Lord Act. 11. 23. And the Apostle Paul

8. used or was used for them in respect of their Land Isa 63. 17 18. The people of thy holinesse have enjoyed it but a while and in a small scantling c. But to draw to a conclusion 3. Would we have God revive this work for his people Then we must pray also that God would revive his work in his people and with it his people themselves and each of us is to look that it be revived in himself What work is this First The life of Faith in the main Remember The just shall live by Faith Chap. 2. 4. that is Faith shall be a principle of life exercising many lively acts in them and they shall attain to the life of Restauration and Comfort by believing Gods promises And therefore we are not to lie down in any dejections or despondences of mind through distrust of Gods power or promises in any case that may conduce most to his glory in his peoples good Secondly The Spirit of prayer for the reparation of Zion the spiritual restorement of the Church for when the Lord shall stir up his servants more generally and heartily to pray with melting compassionate affections toward the spiritual dilapidations deformities of his Churches it will be a good sign that the set time to favor his Zion is come See Psal 102 13 14. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come For thy servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof 3ly Resolutions for best endeavours in behalf of the work of Reformation This concerns you all beloved in your several places and therefore to be far from being obstructors of it through worldly and carnal ends instead of being its promoters and advancers and they that have pretended to build with Gods people when they have intended to hinder as they in Ezra 4. 2 3. God will discover them But more especially this concerns you my reverend and much respected Brethren of the Provincial Assembly to look that you put forth revived spirits toward this work If that were true sano sensu Jupiter quos servare vult suscitat then 't is as true eos per quos servare vult c. If God quicken up those whom he will save then those by whom he will save others instrumentally O let us therefore through grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stir up the gifts and graces of God in us let us quicken up our selves to use all counsels and endeavours for the furtherance of Gods Church-work and joyntly attend upon and prosecute all those good means according to our trust undertaken whereby it may be carried on forward waiting on God for the issues of all our prayers and all our endeavours which shall seem best to his heavenly wisdom However events shall fall out to us in our time resolve as our Prophet doth infer ver 17 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the Olive shall faile and the fields shall yeeld no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation FINIS Christs counsel to the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3. 11. Hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown THese are a parcel of the words of Christ immediately directed unto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia but mediately to that whole Church and every Member of it yea intended for the good of other Churches also and therefore of ours For he that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches It is the common Epiphonema which our Lord subjoyns to all his Epistles unto those Asian Churches written according to the dictate of his spirit by the pen of his Apostle John in the second and third Chapters of this Book He would have every one that hath an hearing ear to lend his attention to that which is spoken by his spirit to what Church soever in that such is the general nature of all Churches and Church-Members as either they do or may stand in need of all such divine admonitions as are addressed occasionally to any of them Now whether those seven particular Churches written unto by our Lord in this Context were Types of several Churches of several constitutions and temperaments and conditions to follow in after-times by divine providence I will forbear to assert positively though I cannot but say what I think that the invention of one of our own Worthies was very bright and clear in finding out those suitable correspondencies between these seven and others succeeding down to this present age respectively Now for that Church in Philadelphia to which my Text is part of that which was written this is remarkable concerning it that it that of Smyrna were the only Churches of all the seven which our Lord Christ openly reproved not at all wheras he found something reproveable in all the rest as on the other side it is remarkable concerning that of the Laodiceans that it was the only Church of the seven which Christ commended not at all whereas he took notice of something commendable in all the rest and why this not because there was nothing faulty or imperfect in those of Smyrna and Philadelphia but to shew how much the Lord favoureth humble modesty nor because there was nothing good in that of Leodicea but to shew how much the Lord disliketh proud vain-glory But I wave such general Observations I draw nigh to the words read unto Sect. you And not to take up any of our time with an exact Analysis of Christ his Epistle to Philadelphia because I shall go near to draw all the lines from the utmost circūstance of it into the center of my Text know only that after he had given testimony to the present good that was in her ver 8. and assurance of after goodness he would shew to her ver 9 10. both in subduing disguised Adversaries and in preserving her under temptations he comes in the words I have hinted upon to exhort her unto duty upon a double motive The duty is To to hold fast that which she had Brevis est hortatio sed Emphatica valde Pareus The first motive which is placed in the front is taken from the speedinesse of Christ his coming behold I come quickly The second which follows in the rear is from the possibility of danger upon neglect of that duty that no man take thy Crown First of the duty Touching which take up this Observation that It concerns the best of Gods Obser Churches and people to hold fast that which they have I purpose to handle this Point which is the principal in the Use so as ye shall perceive it reacheth not only Church-Officers but also Church-members and those of what condition soever this duty being of universal concernment to