Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
duty_n good_a great_a see_v 2,610 5 3.2126 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A63912 The middle way betwixt. The second part being an apologetical vindication of the former / by John Turner. Turner, John, b. 1649 or 50. 1684 (1684) Wing T3312A; ESTC R203722 206,707 592

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so_o whole_o of_o another_o mind_n that_o he_o think_v of_o this_o man_n with_o nothing_o but_o contempt_n and_o have_v no_o relish_n of_o any_o thing_n but_o real_a and_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o a_o thousand_o more_o such_o difference_n may_v be_v produce_v the_o reason_n of_o which_o be_v place_v in_o the_o particular_a genius_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o belong_v that_o be_v in_o their_o particular_a constitution_n in_o which_o the_o seed_n or_o cause_n of_o all_o these_o either_o excellency_n or_o defect_n be_v contain_v and_o according_a to_o the_o different_a proportion_n of_o care_n industry_n and_o study_n the_o different_a happiness_n or_o infelicity_n of_o fortune_n or_o education_n so_o may_v these_o defect_n be_v amend_v or_o increase_v these_o aptitude_n improve_v or_o utter_o destroy_v for_o man_n be_v not_o only_o as_o to_o these_o matter_n very_o different_a from_o one_o another_o but_o by_o company_n or_o diet_n or_o different_a education_n they_o may_v 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that_o mark_n at_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v but_o it_o be_v rather_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o new_a obligation_n to_o watchfulness_n and_o diligence_n in_o all_o our_o conversation_n that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o apply_v so_o merciful_a and_o so_o effectual_a a_o remedy_n to_o those_o disease_n and_o danger_n to_o which_o either_o the_o frailty_n of_o our_o nature_n or_o the_o perverseness_n of_o our_o will_n assist_v by_o the_o malicious_a and_o crafty_a insinuation_n of_o degenerate_a spirit_n do_v continual_o expose_v we_o and_o i_o dare_v confident_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n let_v he_o be_v who_o he_o will_v who_o be_v not_o enslave_v past_o all_o possibility_n of_o redemption_n to_o a_o spirit_n of_o bigotry_n and_o prejudice_n for_o a_o party_n without_o have_v patience_n to_o attend_v to_o
which_o be_v the_o only_a effectual_a and_o certain_o productive_a principle_n of_o godly_a fervour_n and_o zeal_n such_o a_o zeal_n as_o no_o predominancy_n of_o lust_n or_o evil_a concupiscence_n from_o within_o no_o allurement_n of_o any_o temptation_n from_o without_o can_v withdraw_v from_o its_o wist_o intention_n and_o devout_a prospect_n upon_o that_o glorious_a object_n to_o which_o it_o be_v direct_v such_o a_o zeal_n as_o have_v burn_v up_o all_o the_o tare_n and_o cockle_n of_o the_o fleshly_a life_n be_v fruitful_a in_o pious_a and_o virtuous_a resolution_n and_o effectual_a for_o the_o bring_v they_o to_o their_o intend_a issue_n now_o it_o be_v very_o rare_o if_o ever_o see_v that_o such_o extraordinary_a influence_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v bestow_v upon_o such_o as_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o preparation_n in_o their_o heart_n to_o receive_v they_o and_o have_v not_o make_v some_o sincere_a at_o least_o though_o weak_a and_o ineffectual_a attempt_n towards_o the_o conquest_n of_o themselves_o from_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o whole_a action_n result_v from_o the_o common_a efficiency_n of_o humane_a endeavour_n assist_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n may_v in_o some_o sense_n be_v attribute_v whole_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o cause_n as_o be_v the_o causa_fw-la sine_fw-la quâ_fw-la non_fw-la as_o the_o school_n love_v to_o speak_v without_o which_o the_o other_o will_v not_o have_v exert_v itself_o and_o the_o whole_a action_n be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n on_o our_o behalf_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v owe_v to_o ourselves_o or_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o virtuous_a disposition_n of_o mind_n to_o which_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v always_o carry_v forth_o in_o stream_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n towards_o the_o whole_a creation_n have_v such_o a_o unalterable_a congruity_n that_o they_o will_v never_o fail_v to_o be_v inseparable_o unite_v to_o they_o nither_o will_v they_o ever_o forsake_v we_o till_o we_o have_v first_o desert_v and_o forsake_v ourselves_o beside_o that_o in_o those_o good_a action_n or_o those_o pious_a inclination_n of_o we_o in_o which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v the_o great_a share_n there_o may_v yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v more_o of_o our_o own_o than_o we_o be_v usual_o wont_v or_o then_o we_o ought_v with_o any_o thing_n of_o arrogance_n or_o self_n conceit_n to_o attribute_v to_o ourselves_o for_o a_o man_n without_o this_o assistance_n endeavour_v to_o make_v a_o perfect_a conquest_n of_o his_o inordinate_a appetite_n and_o desire_n will_v find_v they_o so_o unruly_a and_o ungovernable_a and_o spring_a with_o such_o perpetual_a fruitfulness_n one_o out_o of_o another_o that_o he_o will_v give_v over_o the_o conflict_n out_o of_o mere_a despair_n and_o yield_v himself_o tame_o into_o a_o utter_a vassalage_n and_o captivity_n to_o they_o but_o when_o assist_v by_o so_o potent_a aid_n this_o wonderful_o excite_v the_o natural_a cheerfulness_n and_o vigour_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o he_o exert_v those_o faculty_n and_o power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o with_o more_o alacrity_n and_o with_o better_a success_n it_o be_v the_o same_o case_n as_o if_o come_v to_o lift_v a_o burden_n which_o be_v plain_o too_o heavy_a and_o unwieldy_a for_o we_o we_o find_v a_o strange_a unwillingness_n so_o much_o as_o to_o attempt_v it_o but_o when_o encourage_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o another_o we_o then_o with_o cheerfulness_n apply_v our_o hand_n and_o shoulder_n to_o it_o and_o each_o man_n put_v forth_o so_o much_o strength_n and_o vigour_n as_o be_v almost_o sufficient_a to_o surmount_v the_o whole_a difficulty_n by_o its_o self_n and_o this_o be_v plain_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o phrase_n which_o we_o translate_v by_o help_v our_o infirmity_n the_o spirit_n also_o help_v our_o infirmity_n in_o the_o greek_a it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v it_o bear_v a_o part_n of_o the_o burden_n together_o with_o we_o neither_o be_v it_o true_a only_o of_o prayer_n to_o which_o this_o text_n have_v a_o more_o immediate_a relation_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n help_v our_o infirmity_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v the_o same_o case_n in_o all_o other_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a life_n that_o these_o also_o in_o their_o utmost_a beauty_n and_o perfection_n be_v owe_v to_o a_o concurrence_n and_o cooperation_n of_o the_o same_o bless_a spirit_n as_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v from_o this_o that_o prayer_n be_v only_o a_o mean_n for_o the_o better_a attainment_n of_o that_o great_a end_n the_o regular_a and_o steady_a performance_n of_o all_o other_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n by_o call_v off_o the_o mind_n from_o object_n of_o a_o more_o gross_a and_o earthly_a nature_n and_o by_o engage_v our_o thought_n in_o a_o pursuit_n after_o and_o insinuate_v they_o into_o a_o communion_n with_o god_n it_o create_v in_o we_o those_o calm_a peaceable_a and_o quiet_a disposition_n which_o put_v we_o in_o the_o best_a condition_n both_o to_o know_v our_o duty_n and_o to_o practice_v it_o by_o a_o perpetual_a but_o humble_a importunity_n before_o the_o footstool_n of_o his_o mercy_n it_o call_v down_o those_o grace_n and_o influence_n upon_o we_o who_o design_n and_o business_n be_v to_o guide_v we_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o to_o encourage_v we_o in_o every_o good_a and_o virtuous_a undertake_n and_o it_o be_v still_o further_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n its_o self_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o perpetual_a prayer_n and_o carry_v along_o with_o it_o a_o most_o powerful_a intercession_n on_o our_o behalf_n and_o therefore_o may_v expect_v and_o will_v receive_v the_o encouragement_n of_o divine_a assistance_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v afford_v to_o our_o very_a prayer_n themselves_o another_o way_n by_o which_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o whole_a action_n of_o a_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n become_v well-pleasing_a and_o acceptable_a to_o god_n on_o his_o behalf_n though_o in_o its_o utmost_a integrity_n and_o perfection_n it_o be_v owe_v to_o a_o concurrence_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v from_o hence_o that_o his_o mind_n be_v not_o only_o in_o some_o degree_n of_o preparedness_n to_o receive_v those_o bless_a irradiation_n from_o above_o but_o that_o when_o he_o have_v receive_v they_o he_o afford_v they_o a_o welcome_n and_o suitable_a entertainment_n he_o improve_v and_o thrive_v under_o the_o influence_n of_o grace_n he_o warm_v and_o cherish_v his_o virtue_n by_o that_o heavenly_a fire_n and_o make_v himself_o every_o day_n by_o a_o improvement_n of_o inward_a purity_n and_o outward_a cleanness_n a_o more_o agreeable_a receptacle_n for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o he_o that_o do_v not_o quench_v and_o resist_v the_o influence_n of_o the_o spirit_n by_o slothful_a negligence_n or_o wilful_a sin_n he_o that_o when_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o obstruct_v and_o hinder_v it_o do_v on_o the_o contrary_n promote_v its_o operation_n and_o conspire_v with_o it_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o same_o end_n and_o design_n may_v not_o improper_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o either_o good_a action_n or_o pious_a thought_n or_o virtuous_a intention_n in_o which_o he_o have_v so_o great_a a_o share_n and_o which_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n utter_o to_o have_v obstruct_v and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o be_v exhort_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v watchful_a and_o diligent_a and_o sober_a to_o be_v frequent_a in_o prayer_n and_o holy_a meditation_n because_o these_o be_v natural_a mean_n to_o preserve_v we_o in_o that_o temper_n of_o mind_n which_o fit_v we_o best_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o for_o the_o preserve_v a_o uninterrupted_a intercourse_n and_o communion_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n again_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o spirit_n help_v the_o infirmity_n of_o a_o good_a man_n not_o only_o by_o warm_v his_o affection_n but_o by_o enlighten_v his_o understanding_n and_o so_o far_o as_o his_o action_n or_o his_o inclination_n depend_v only_o upon_o this_o latter_a cause_n they_o be_v as_o proper_o his_o own_o as_o if_o no_o such_o illumination_n have_v be_v the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o in_o any_o matter_n of_o difficulty_n or_o moment_n in_o which_o i_o be_o not_o so_o thorough_o verse_v myself_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o advice_n of_o another_o more_o skilful_a than_o i_o be_o and_o if_o be_v convince_v in_o myself_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o that_o course_n which_o he_o propound_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v afterward_o follow_v his_o advice_n yet_o the_o action_n be_v nevertheless_o i_o for_o have_v do_v it_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o another_o for_o so_o soon_o
as_o what_o he_o say_v appear_v reasonable_a to_o i_o and_o till_o it_o do_v my_o understanding_n be_v not_o enlighten_v so_o soon_o his_o understanding_n become_v i_o i_o be_o real_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n which_o he_o be_v himself_o and_o i_o act_v upon_o principle_n of_o my_o own_o though_o i_o have_v receive_v those_o principle_n from_o he_o but_o after_o all_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o of_o ourselves_o we_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o frail_a and_o imperfect_a creature_n and_o that_o our_o best_a action_n even_o when_o they_o receive_v the_o great_a advantage_n from_o the_o divine_a assistance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o imperfect_a in_o themselves_o yet_o they_o be_v interweave_v with_o those_o that_o be_v that_o so_o long_o as_o we_o continue_v here_o below_o we_o be_v still_o in_o danger_n of_o relapse_v from_o our_o best_a and_o firm_a resolution_n and_o that_o when_o ever_o we_o give_v any_o the_o least_o imaginable_a ground_n we_o be_v still_o expose_v to_o further_a and_o less_o avoidable_a danger_n that_o we_o be_v never_o whole_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o temptation_n and_o that_o nothing_o but_o the_o alone_a merit_n and_o mediation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n can_v make_v our_o person_n or_o action_n so_o effectual_o acceptable_a and_o well-pleasing_a to_o god_n as_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o our_o justification_n what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o all_o our_o good_a action_n and_o desire_n in_o this_o four_o consideration_n that_o in_o their_o utmost_a beauty_n of_o holiness_n and_o perfection_n they_o be_v owe_v to_o a_o concurrence_n and_o cooperation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o same_o be_v much_o more_o true_a in_o the_o five_o place_n of_o a_o habitual_a course_n of_o virtue_n through_o all_o or_o any_o of_o the_o part_n and_o stage_n of_o our_o life_n that_o this_o be_v under_o a_o vast_a degree_n of_o moral_a impossibility_n of_o be_v ever_o effect_v without_o the_o same_o assistance_n if_o one_o single_a instance_n of_o our_o duty_n be_v so_o difficult_a to_o be_v perform_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o constant_a perseverance_n in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v much_o more_o for_o by_o perseverance_n nothing_o else_o be_v mean_v but_o a_o uninterrupted_a series_n or_o complexion_n of_o many_o of_o those_o single_a instance_n together_o to_o make_v a_o man_n life_n appear_v of_o the_o same_o grain_n and_o colour_n and_o to_o be_v in_o all_o its_o part_n consistent_a to_o its_o self_n and_o to_o the_o beauty_n of_o every_o single_a action_n to_o add_v a_o beauty_n of_o uniformity_n result_v from_o they_o altogether_o and_o this_o difficulty_n will_v appear_v stigreat_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o be_v not_o only_o in_o danger_n from_o ourselves_o but_o from_o the_o temptation_n of_o other_o and_o from_o the_o malicious_a insinuation_n of_o apostate_n and_o degenerate_a spirit_n beside_o that_o our_o very_a virtue_n themselves_o do_v border_n upon_o vice_n and_o the_o best_a action_n which_o we_o do_v be_v place_v upon_o the_o brink_n of_o dangerous_a extreme_n how_o near_o a_o resemblance_n have_v frugality_n to_o covetousness_n liberality_n to_o profuseness_n zeal_n to_o superstition_n humility_n to_o a_o mean_a and_o sordid_a temper_n prudence_n to_o affectation_n patience_n to_o cowardice_n a_o generous_a contempt_n of_o power_n and_o riches_n to_o a_o scorbutic_a idleness_n and_o sloth_n and_o how_o be_v temperance_n and_o sobriety_n themselves_o divide_v only_o by_o a_o mathematical_a line_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v no_o latitude_n in_o its_o self_n from_o the_o opposite_a immorality_n of_o gluttony_n and_o excess_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a therefore_o for_o st._n paul_n to_o advise_v his_o philippian_n and_o consequent_o we_o and_o all_o mankind_n as_o he_o do_v to_o work_v out_o their_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v that_o be_v with_o their_o utmost_a care_n and_o circumspection_n because_o of_o those_o many_o and_o great_a danger_n with_o which_o this_o warfare_n of_o we_o be_v perpetual_o attend_v to_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o so_o effectual_a remedy_n shall_v be_v apply_v as_o by_o keep_v a_o constant_a and_o solicitous_a guard_n upon_o ourselves_o by_o examine_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o all_o our_o action_n before_o we_o do_v they_o and_o of_o all_o our_o design_n before_o we_o enter_v upon_o they_o by_o enter_v every_o morning_n into_o new_a engagement_n of_o a_o virtuous_a life_n and_o by_o call_v ourselves_o to_o a_o strict_a account_n every_o night_n for_o the_o behaviour_n and_o management_n of_o the_o day_n according_a to_o the_o excellent_a discipline_n of_o the_o old_a pythagorean_n school_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o yet_o that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v discourage_v from_o attempt_v to_o be_v good_a by_o a_o too_o fearful_a apprehension_n of_o those_o danger_n and_o temptation_n to_o which_o we_o be_v expose_v st._n paul_n add_v immediate_o as_o a_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v earnest_o endeavour_v after_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n for_o it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v in_o you_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n that_o be_v if_o we_o use_v that_o diligence_n and_o sincerity_n in_o our_o endeavour_n which_o be_v requisite_a god_n will_v not_o fail_v to_o superadd_a the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o enable_v we_o effectual_o to_o perform_v his_o will_n and_o our_o duty_n in_o the_o alexandrine_n copy_n it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v those_o power_n and_o ability_n in_o you_o which_o you_o have_v not_o or_o at_o least_o not_o so_o entire_o and_o perfect_o in_o yourselves_o and_o in_o another_o ms._n which_o grotius_n refer_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v powerful_o in_o you_o for_o the_o bring_v your_o good_a intention_n and_o design_n to_o pass_v to_o the_o utter_a mortification_n of_o your_o lust_n and_o passion_n and_o to_o the_o make_v you_o well-pleasing_a and_o acceptable_a in_o his_o sight_n to_o the_o make_v you_o pure_a even_o as_o he_o be_v pure_a and_o holy_a as_o he_o which_o have_v call_v you_o be_v holy_a and_o perfect_a even_o as_o your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a six_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o though_o god_n almighty_n do_v afford_v to_o all_o especial_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n sufficient_a assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n to_o mortify_v and_o subdue_v themselves_o and_o to_o persist_v in_o a_o regular_a and_o steady_a course_n of_o virtue_n if_o they_o be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o and_o though_o it_o be_v likewise_o true_a that_o the_o improvement_n of_o those_o talent_n which_o we_o have_v already_o receive_v be_v still_o accompany_v with_o further_a assistance_n from_o above_o yet_o in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o divine_a grace_n there_o be_v also_o somewhat_o which_o be_v arbitrary_a and_o found_v upon_o no_o reason_n but_o the_o uncontrollable_a determination_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n st._n paul_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o time_n that_o there_o be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n though_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o owe_v to_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o that_o age_n and_o some_o that_o succeed_v it_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v more_o plentiful_a and_o of_o a_o more_o extraordinary_a nature_n than_o they_o be_v now_o though_o that_o indeed_o depend_v upon_o particular_a reason_n and_o be_v necessary_a to_o support_v the_o church_n in_o its_o infancy_n against_o the_o heat_n and_o fury_n of_o so_o many_o dreadful_a persecution_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o why_o may_v we_o not_o allow_v since_o god_n be_v the_o sole_a proprietor_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n the_o unaccountable_a dispenser_n of_o his_o own_o grace_n and_o favour_n that_o he_o do_v sometime_o by_o arbitrary_a measure_n allot_v a_o great_a share_n of_o it_o to_o one_o man_n then_o another_o or_o why_o may_v not_o this_o be_v a_o very_a allowable_a interpretation_n of_o that_o place_n which_o i_o have_v new_o produce_v for_o it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v in_o you_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n that_o be_v that_o though_o he_o afford_v sufficient_a grace_n to_o all_o yet_o he_o do_v notwithstanding_o make_v some_o unequal_a distribution_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v pro_fw-la arbitrio_fw-la by_o arbitrary_a and_o unaccountable_a measure_n seven_o and_o last_o as_o to_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o we_o mean_v only_o a_o historical_a faith_n it_o may_v certain_o be_v attain_v by_o any_o consider_a man_n without_o any_o particular_a assistance_n of_o