Selected quad for the lemma: earth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
earth_n	heaven_n	lord_n	word_n	16,216	5	4.2023	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49447	Meditations upon retirement from the world Occasioned by a discourse with a gentleman, who begun to see the vanity of worldly enjoyments, whereof he had had a very great share, and thought it necessary by despising of them, to secure the interest of his soul, while there was any time left.	Ludolf, Heinrich Wilhelm, 1655-1710.	1691 (1691)	Wing L3464; ESTC R216641	10,010	11

it worth their while by a real hearty Contempt of the World to offer at a little more familiar acquaintance with Gods goodness My Meditations do not belong to those that had rather live like Beasts than Men but those that pay some respects to Reason and Christianity will be backward to condemn me too rashly for an Enthusiast especially if they do not measure other peoples Corn with their own Bushel but have humility enough to suppose that by others they may be exceeded in Vertue as well as in Vice and that consequently they must not think themselves in possession of the greatest share of those Blessings which are promised to Vertue and Piety in this Life as well as in the next MEDITATION VI. THis new Life which it is no paradox to call the beginning of the Eternal one is so unspeakable a happiness that no body ought to grudge forsaking the Old one which St. Paul had so contemptible an opinion of that he did not think it worth the name of Life when he desired to be delivered of the body of this death I can give so far an experimental description of it that it puts a period to those unfortunate jarrings between the Passions Reason and Faith which so desperately disturb a man in the Old life and all our Faculties within us do in the new Life their parts with such a sweet harmony that Reason commands our Appetite and Passions with such an absolute and yet very indulgent sway that both Appetite and Passions afford nothing but Pleasure and such a Pleasure which leaves no sting behind but increases with the injoyment Reason on the other hand acts with that humble regard to the Divine Majesty from whence it had its spring that it willingly by Faith submits to those unsearchable Mysteries which must of necessity be far above an understanding darkened by the general corruption of Mankind But the more we endeavour by the grace of God to free our selves from that corruption the more that veil of the eyes of our understandings will fall off and by degrees God Almighty enables us to see that Faith is no intollerable Mistress to Reason but that the perfection of Reason consists in being convinced of and in understanding the Truth and Reality of Divine Mysteries It is true it would be great presumption in any man by his own forces to recover that perfection which was forfeited by his Primogenitors ingratitude But since Gods infinite mercy hath provided the mean of our Mediator for our Restauration it is the greatest wonder to me that there can be such wretches as to neglect and mock that for which no humane tongue or understanding can find proportionate thanks I must confess the generality of Christians is so little behind hand with the Jews in despising of our Saviour that they boggle as much as the Jews at the truth of our Saviours asseveration That no body ever should see death that kept his Sayings But how can any body be inabled to keep those Sayings or Commandments if he will not take his refuge to him whose Merit and Intercession must procure us the necessary help for it Since then Eternal Life or the beginning thereof a New Life here upon earth can be attained to only by keeping of Christs Saying or by following of his Example it is absolutely necessary sincerely to desire and earnestly to attempt the practice of those Vertues which Christ reckoned our blessedness and made them the Subject of all his discourses though he knew the World such a stranger to them that he thought it necessary to bespeak their attention by Similitudes and Parables I will not waste Time and Paper in summing up and describing the Loveliness and Usefulness of those Vertues the Practice whereof is that Keeping of Christs Commandments which he takes as a sign of our belief in and love of him for which he hath promised so unimaginable a Reward that God will love us come to us and make his abode with us Joh. 14. Those that think our Saviour too plain in recommending of those Vertues may read the Whole Duty of Man where they are treated of more methodically and in a stile more sutable to the fashion of these times But I am afraid there is such a proud stubborn Generation which would hardly hear one appointed to speak of GODS WILL though he should comply with all the fashions of the World that are not directly opposite to the will of God For I believe they would think him as far from being a Prophet because he appeared among the wicked as the old Prophets were contemned for flying from the wickedness of the World But God will confound the vain conceit of the World by not confining his Providence to the notions of humane Wisdome MEDITATION VII THE damned Pride of humane Wisedom is indeed come to that pass that People will hardly allow the Almighties Prorogative by his uncontroulable Providence to manage this World We have a daily experience of Gods disappointing the subtlety of Mens designs and of embroiling that success of the crafty which Gods unsearchable counsel permits sometimes And yet we are generally so far from reflecting more upon God than upon our own brains that we fancy we are able to baffle the disposals of Infinite Power which I am afraid hath connived long enough to convince us of his extraordinary Mercy and to keep us from thinking those judgements too severe which it seems begin to come upon Earth and which will very heavily light upon those heads that have hitherto laughed at the threatnings of Gods Word It is not my task by these Meditations to explain the first part of the Lords Prayer and to determine what way and how soon here upon Earth as well as in Heaven Gods Name is to be hallowed Gods Kingdom to come and Gods will to be done Those that mind our Saviours Exhortations will not neglect to endeavour the being in a readiness for it at all times Gods mercy hath nevertheless extended so far as to raise of late persons understanding those dark Passages both of the Old and New Testament which speak of the Triumph of goodness over wickedness I have seen onely some writings of Mrs. Bourignon and Mr. Poiret but I know there is more persons acquainted with the nearness of that time But I perceive there is scarce any more heed taken of what they say or Write than of Noah before the Deluge It is an unaccountable thing that even those which own the Bible to come from God should less reflect upon what is contained in it about an universal Reign of Justice Peace and Joy than upon the tricks of the Devil to turn that Reign into ridicule by some Millenarians some Quakers and some Family of Love Men. We are questionless too presumptuous of ourselves if we suppose there was no need of our Saviour for warning us against the fierceness and cheats of the Devil in the latter times But our Saviours Doctrine is grown so despicable with the far greater part that it is thought below a Wit either to hold that our Saviour is God or to believe that there is a Devil But Great God have thou in thy infinite Mercy a tender compassion of thy poor people in this last and most furious assault of the Adversary hear the sighs of those that groan under his Tyranny and prepare those that fear thee for thy appearence which thou wilt shortly make to avenge the Scorn of thy Onely Son strengthen the Faith of those thou thinkest fit to bring to the fiery Trial and do not defer long mercifully to fullfil thy decrees about me for my Redeemers sake FINIS

MEDITATIONS UPON RETIREMENT FROM THE WORLD Occasioned By a Discourse with a Gentleman Who begun to see the vanity of Worldly enjoyments whereof he had had a very great share and thought it necessary by despising of them to secure the interest of his Soul while there was any time left Blessed are they that forsake the World for Heaven but more blessed are they that find Heaven before they go out of the World There is no more difference between Heaven and the Kingdom of God than there is between Hell and the Kingdom of Darkness Heaven consists in Vertue Truth and Light Hell consists in Vice Lies and Darkness Our Saviour leads us the way to Heaven and the Devil directs people to Hell The Reader may consider which of these two he had best to follow SOLI DEO GLORIA LONDON Printed Anno Dom. MDCXCI TO HIS ROYAL-HIGHNESS Prince GEORGE OF DENMARK THE nearer you are to Crown and Scepter the more regard you ought to have to Him whose Vicegerents Kings and Princes are By your indifferency about Worldly Affairs Providence hath disposed you to despise the World and to give your Heart to God who hath unimaginable happiness and contentment ready for those that with an intire Resignation comply with his Will If the following Meditations have such an effect upon your Mind as to strengthen your Love to the Ruler of all Hearts He will never let you want those Affections of the People which mark and support a Princes greatness and I shall certainly see my Wishes and Hopes of the growth and continuance of your Prosperity fulfilled When you see these present Broils of Europe make way for great changes in Church and State remember this Dedication and believe that God will rescue those that fear love and trust him and that you are One of the few great Ones not to be touched by the general Calamity which the unusual Earth-Quakes and other Signs of Gods Anger do forebode Then I shall not scruple to make my self known to you READER ALL those render no small service to God and their Countrey that endeavour to help true Christianity to get uppermost For we would soon have a better Church and State if People were thoroughly perswaded that real Prosperity upon Earth depended upon our Care for Heaven This single Notion well fixed in the generality of minds would quench many a desire by Factions to disturb the Peace and quiet of the Nation or to hinder its welfare by cheating the Publick both of its Treasure and of those Services which People less wedded to luxury and private interest might render How far the following Meditations may tend this way the Christian Reader will judge who will I hope allow of my Apology for the Stile when I tell him it is not my Native Language I hope these Meditations will not have the misfortune to fall into the hands of any that either think God a slave to the course and Laws of Nature or that fancy their Wisdome above Gods Endowments For such People will conclude me as great an Euthasiast as they are either Beasts or Foolish-Wisemen It is my comfort that I have Witnesses of my Behaviour in the greatest adversity when I had the fate of the Moneyless to be disowned almost by every body and some thought they discharged the duty of Friendship in desiring the Prayers of the Congregation that my health and understanding might be restored to me People that do not know of this will hardly own me a fit Preacher of the obligation of an intire Resignation to Gods will if they should see me by a wonderfull Providence raised to make some Figure in the World But as God alone knows how much I have been humbled so it is in his only Breast how for I shall be exalted May First Heinrich Wilhelm Lud●lf The first of July thou shalt have a Commentary MEDITATION I. THe World is an imperious Mistress who makes those most uneasie that are fondest of her Which hath induced several to prefer Retirement before Greatness and Splendor in the World after they have found the emptyness of all those things which men commonly make their Idols Providence having contrived it so wisely that whosoever hath a wrong aim in point of happiness is sooner or latter made sensible of his having missed the mark All the mischief cometh from misplacing our affections and from not bestowing a true value upon the things we are in pursuit after If we remembred the Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven we would soon find fullfilled the All things shall be added unto you Since a hearty concern for a future Life would make us look with so much contempt upon the trifles of this World that we would hardly ever disquiet our selves with the desire of any thing that is not added to us already But such a Resignation to Providence requireth perhaps more Religion than is commonly met with in men However we all pretend to reason and those that are not totally deprived of the right use of reason will own that they have an immortal Soul and that consequently the securing Eternity to the Soul is not only the most important business but that without the hopes of it our mind will not be free from grudgings very injurious to its quiet and contentment which influences the health of our Body very much So that reason should tell every man he must look after Heaven if he will enjoy happiness upon Earth which cannot subsist without health in the Body and tranquility in the Mind Gods goodness as well as wisdom having ordered it so that the interest of Body Mind and Soul is so closely united together that a concern for the Soul brings us to the observing of our Saviours Rules and practising of those vertues whereby the vigour of our Body and the contentment of our Minds is promoted and on the other hand managing the Body according to the Precepts of Temperance and Sobriety strengthens our Understanding and inables it to descry in Nature and Providence those glorious Beams of Wisdome and Goodness which cannot chose but inflame our desires of obtaining the favour of that infinite perfect Being Which desire if it be sincere and earnest is half way towards our Souls home This consideration alone should be enough to keep any rational man from bestowing any more value upon the Goods and Pleasures of this World than is consistent with a due care of the next Which if they did they would not be weary of Earth before they are fitted for Heaven and even Earthly pleasures of Body as well as of mind would be more real more lasting and more easily attained They would not be at a loss where to find retirement and quiet For in my opinion it is not changing of City or Court for the Country wherein a quiet Retirement consists because in the greatest Solitude and most concealed Recess our mind may be hurried about with restless passions and desires on the other hand neither the

difficulty to be overcome by one who would fain injoy that Retirement wherein we are past being displeased with any thing but what displeases God Almighty MEDITATION IV. SUCH a disengagement of our hearts from all worldly affections fits us for that love of God whereby we endear our selves to him and receive those returns from him which bring us to so much experience of his mercy that we never despond even under the worst circumstances but bear the worst lot of his Providence without reluctancy It would be strange if God Almighty who hath given so innumerable proofs of his goodness towards us should look with indifferency upon those that endeavour to answer his design in creating of Man and endowing him with understanding If we think we have reason to lessen our kindness for a person which doth love another besides us How can we imagine that Infinite Being should take it well at our hands when we kindly entertain so despicable Rivals besides him Many pious persons hold that God created Man only for a witness to his wonders to admire and injoy the beauty of the whole Creation and after Man had by his ingratitude forfeited so great a bliss and by his disobedience brought the sad punishment upon him which hath made his Posterity smart ever since Yet God was pleased to give still a greater proof of his Love in pittying Mans deplorable condition and providing a mean for its relief What is not such an Infinite Goodness like to do for one who is sensible of so unspeakable a Mercy and with a due acknowledgement of his unworthiness makes it his utmost care to please his Creator If we make never so few Christian Reflexions upon the course he takes with us we will soon find that he courts us for our heart by all the methods imaginable and when they do not prevail he imbitters the enjoyment of those very things which inticed our heart away from him He doth not deserve so great a favour as affliction that doth not look upon it as a design of God Almighty to wean us from those things which rendered us treacherous to him Our mind must have some thing to delight chiefly in and which way soever it inclines there it sticks closer and closer If it bend towards the world it will intangle it self faster and faster in it and remove further and further from God But if our mind fix once upon God it will despise the world more and more and grow in delighting in God Almighty and Heaven The more our love tends this way the more our expectations will be answered Till by degrees it bring us to so straight a union with God that no Temptation will tear us from him When God once finds us true to him he gives us those assurances of his being true to us that nothing is able to shake us or to grieve us till at length we arrive at such an intimacy with him as to have no other will but his and to bear with an intire resignation his disposals Then we begin to see wonders of Wisedome Goodness Mercy and Justice even in those Events which the world thinks chance and we will find that the more we seek Heaven the more we find happiness upon Earth whereas seeking the Trifles of the Earth makes us lose Heaven and doth nothing but inbroil us here upon earth So that in my opinion it is Prudence as well as Religion to give our Heart to God and not to the World than I am sure the Vanity of the World will never make us uneasie nor puzzle us where to find that tranquillity and cherfullness of mind which sweetens this life and gives us a foretaste of that which is to come MEDITATION V. FOr fear any body should think these Notions insignificant whims of my own brains I advise to examine whether they are not agreeable to what was said before by one whose Wisdom and Truth no Christian can have an exception to There is scarce another sence to be given to those words of our Saviours whereby he declared That the Love of his Heavenly Father was not in us as long as we loved the World But if people will not mind his Doctrine how can they wonder at their not finding the Truth and Benefit of it Withdrawing our heart from the World and giving it to God is that forsaking of every thing which hath the promise of an hundred fold recompence Whereof no body is like to gain a fortunate experience that doth not think it worth his while to attempt a trial of it Though I am of opinion the truth of my Notions will be called in question by no body who owns the Bible to contain Gods Word The number indeed of those is far greater which think it beneath them to submit their understanding to Gods Wisdome not to speak of those which count David a fool for calling those Fools which denyed a God I will not now incroach upon the province of Divines and threaten those Sparks with the heavy Judgments that are like to befal them or think so meanly of my time as to go about the proving their errors since they admit only of heathenish arguments they may go those passages in Seneca which make Contempt of Riches the great Road towards becoming Rich. And they may learn of Epicurus that since mans happiness consists in pleasure he must needs be most happy whose pleasure is least subject to uncertainty or to taste as much of Gall as of Hony My Meditations being designed only for the improvement of Christianity I dare assure my self that any person who will earnestly endeavour for Christs sake to forsake his Life will by Gods blessing find a far better I have not been yet in the other World and cannot speak by experience of what we have to expect there But I know that forsaking of those courses which set us at a greater and greater distance from God will bring us by degrees to such a life here upon Earth which is not only free from disquiet and fear but wherein natural pleasures are easie and even the thought of their loss most pleasant I shall never be perswaded to embrace the sottish conceipt of those that suppose all the pleasures of the body were by the bountiful Creator of the Universe laid only as so many snares for our Soul and upon that account deny their bodies not only recreation but necessaries It is too low a fancy to imagine that so infinite a goodness as that of the Almighty can take delight in making us uneasie and I have reason to believe that the infinite liberality of our Creator desireth nothing of us but a grateful injoyment of what is given being so free to grant the desires of those that love him that they can scarce thank him heartily for a mercy received before there is a greater one ready Though I am afraid there is not over many that have had a full sence hereof since there is so few that think