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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	action_n	poor_a	zion_n	13	3	8.9634	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A55881	Antient Christianity revived being a description of the doctrine, discipline, and practice of the little city of Bethania : collected out of her great charter, the Holy Scriptures, and confirmed by the same for the satisfaction and benefit of the house of the poor / by one of her inhabitants who desireth to worship God after the way which some men call heresie.	Pardoe, William, d. 1692.	1688 (1688)	Wing P348; ESTC R27527	83,441	196

Isa 42.4 Job 22.22 Jer. 15.16 Psal 119.24 Isa 44.4 Psal 119.98 99 100. Ephes 1.18 Psal 119.93 Cant. 6.11 Psal 23.2 John 6.45 Gen. 27.27 Isa 5.13 In which for that time all other things whether Actions of Soul or Body are suspended and laid in Silence That with great Retiredness of Spirit they may watch with Christ one Hour And like the little Islands of the Poor in Spirit wait for the Law from his Mouth to lay up his Word in their Hearts that it may be for good Counsel and Comfort for their Soul●● By which means improved in this manner the House of the Poor groweth rich in Divine Vertue and deep Wisdons being Fortified also in their Soule with the exceeding great Power of God of which retired Spirits have sensible Experience and by which they are quickned yet farther unto Spiritual Things And so feeding in the Valley of great Humility by the still Waters of immediate and Ministerial Teachings they grow like Willows by the Water-courses and flourish like a Field which the Lord hath Blessed When the Inhabitants of Babel that discomposed Multitude and all the carelese Daughters are famished and dryed up with Thirst SICONDLY The Inhabitants of Bethania are very careful to observe those Hours Dedicated to Divine Worship Acts 3.21 Isa 58.3 Verse 13. as time that then is none of Theirs but the Lords and therefore they think it dangerous to steal away any part thereof from him and convert it to their own private use Acts 5.1.2 Verse 5. Verse 10. like Annanias and Saphira which stole away part of that from God which they pretended to give unto him but felt the dreadful Effects thereof by the loss of Life And for mocking the Lord and lying against his Holy Spirit is is greatly to be doubted also Isa 32.9 12. Ephes 4.30 they have lost their Souls And hence it comes to pass among the careless Daughters who suffer the Lord to wait for them till his Spirit be greatly grieved and fore wearied with their intollerable Delay That they have little else in their coming to Meetings but dry Breasts Hos 9.14 Jer. 17.6 Isa 24.16 Psal 106.15 Job 16.18 Isa 58.2 and a Barren Womb The Lord having withdrawn himself from their careless Souls and left them to inherit the parched places of the Wilderness in great leanness of Spirit as their wrinckles testifie to their Faces And notwithstanding They are frequently at Meetings and evi learning in the visible Temple sitting constantly in the place of drawing Waters 2 Tim. 3.7 Jude 5.11 Isa 65.23 yet they d●● but labour in vain and bring for●● Trouble because they observe not the●● accustomed Meetings in the care●● Spirit of Bethania THIRDLY It is the Custom of that little City when they come to their Meeting place and the Hour of Meeting being at hand remembring that the time is now the Lords to retire ea●● to their proper Place or Seat for bearing to salute any though never ●● dear unto them and there to betak● themselves to some silent Meditation or reading of the Holy Scriptures Luke so 4. 2 Kings 4.29 Hab 2.20 Psal 104.34 Psal 94.19 Mat. 22.11 Chap. 18.21 1 Cor. 13.5 Eccles 3.1 1 Pet. 3.8 ●● some other Spiritual Exercise the so when the Lord shall come to see the Guests and visit the Two or Thre●● that are gathered together in h●● Name he may find none of the●● distracted whispering dircoursin● or in any unseemly Posture fo● there is a Time and a Season for ever● lawful Custom and Salutations all in their proper Seasons with other friendly Discourse are convenient and comely in Bethania But it ●● meet that the Lords work Phil. 3.8 the which also concerns our immortal Sou●● should in the first place be accomplished 1 Kings 17.13 Luke 10.42 and herein Mary was more approved of in sitting at the Feet of her Lord and waiting for his Divine Counsels then Martha was in making unseasonable Provision for him Therefore when the Disciples were sent forth in the work of the Lord they were commanded to salute no man by the way John 9.61 for he that would bid them of his house farewel when a greater Work was before him was judged unmeet for the Kingdom of God. Piety is to go before Courtesy the which being finished Courtesie follows in his right season Exod. 31.18 The Law was written in two Tables and though the second Table in which is contained our Duty to man have more Precepts in it then that which contains our Duty to God yet the Precepts of the first Table are to be observed in the first place Even so the holy Apostles first ended the Divine Matter of their Epistles Rom. 16.4 and then after saluted the Brethren Therefore Bethania when Divine Worship that appertaineth to God in the first place is performed then after they proceed in courteous Salutations one to another and not only to themselves neither like the Publicans Mat. 5.47 who will also salute their Brethren But likewise also to those besides themselves who do usually frequent their Meetings Rom. 12.9 10. all which Salutations are performed in unfeigned Love 1 Cor. 14.40 and without Diffimulation also in great Humility a decent orderly and serious Exercises in Bethania FOVRTHLY If in any of the Assemblies of Bethania Offenees happen to arise between Brother and Brother in a matter that is not simply a sin against God Then the offended goeth and telleth the Offender his Fault Mat. 18.15 16 17. who if he repent is readily forgiven and so all 〈◊〉 well but if he repent not then he is admonished by two or three and so it is done the second time If he still persist in stubbornness then the Church doth hear it and if he refuse to hear the Church it is plain Rebellion and so like that dreadful Sin of Witchcraft 1 Sam. 15.23 and such kind of Persons are in no wise sufferred to inhabite in Bethania Deut. 18.10 not be Freemen within the Corporation of it FIFTHLY Again if there be found any Person in the aforesaid Assemblies that is slothful Rom. 12.11 2 Tim. 3.18 1 Thess 5.14 and doth neglect his Duty either in natural or in spiritual things then he is seriously admonished unto it If he strive to amend although he cannot presently alter the in-bred Habits of an unconverted State it is sufficient for the present and he is counselled encouraged and comforted as one of the feeble-minded But if he be careless and giveth way to those evil habits 1 Tim. 5.11 he is suspended and noted as a Person not meet for Christian Communion yet in no wise exempted from friendly Admonition But if after all these manurings he still remaineth an unfruitful Tree Luke 13.7 John 15.6 and as a deyed Shrub in which there is no hope then he is cut up as a Cumberrer of the Ground and as a lifeless Withered Branch taken

Go sell all and come follow me And Every one that is perfect shall be as his Master is oft pressed unto by the Apostles That I might prsent every man perfect in Christ Jesus whereunto I also labour according to his working that worketh in me mightily Col. 4.12 Ephes 4.13 2 Cor. 7 1. 1 John 4.17 That ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God Unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ unto a perfect man Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God. And herein is our love made perfect Phil. 3.15 EpheI 3.9 2 Cor. 3.18 because as he is so are we in this World Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded being filled with the fullness of God changed from Glory to Glory into the same Image with him even as by the Spirit of the Lord And he that hath this hope in him 1 John 3.3 2 Pet. 3.14 purifieth himself even as he is pure Wherefore Beloved Seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without Spot and Blameless that he might present it to himself a Glorious Church Ephes 5.27 not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without blemish For Pure Religion and Undefiled before God is this James 1.27 To visit the Fatherless and Widdows in their Affliction and to keep our selves unspotted from the World many more Scriptures might be alledged to the same purpose But because it is an hard saying to the fleshly part therefore who can bear it Matt. 7.14 This is indeed the narrow way which Flesh and Spirit mixt together cannot walk in Therefore He that is Christs in Esponsed Union hath Crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 John 3.6 1 Cor. 2.15 Gal. 5.25 Jude 24. Rom. 8.13 1 Pet. 4.1 2. and is born of the Spirit and so is a compleat Spiritual Man And therefore walketh in the Spirit hating even the very Garments spotted with the Flesh having through the Spirit Mortified the Deeds of the Body by the which suffering in the Flesh he hath ceased from Sin and liveth to God in Newness of Life Therefore do we begin Christianity in the Principles before written that we might finish it in Perfection 1 Cor. 9.24 Verse 25. 2 Tim. 4.7 and so our ruaning to end this Race and our fighting to accomplish this Warfare yea all our labouring tendeth to finish this Course And here at last the Reward will stand But while this Salvation is working out Phil. 2.12 Job 12.5 Gal. 6.1 Isa 30.26 1 Cor. 8.12 it is with much Fear and Trembling and many slips falls and wounds poor Souls receive in this difficult Passage and were it not for the Intercession of Christ the which to us in this Case is of an unspeakable Advantage we might uttecly despair of coming to our journeys end By Vertue of which in most true Repentance and right humble Confession looking to him in the true Nature of the Christian Faith who is Exalted at the Right Hand of his Father for this very end Heb. 9.24 Numb 21.9 the Soul is cured again from the Stings of Wilderness Serpents by which it was wounded in its Travels toward the Milkey Land and so in true Watchfulness walking in the Light as he is in the Light 1 Thess 5.6 1 John 1.7 receives Remission of its Sin and is cleansed from all Unrighteousness and thus being recovered he hasteth on his way again Psal 55.8 2 Pet. 3.14 Cant. 2.3 2 Cor. 10 5. performing his work with Diligence and Chearfulness till at last every thought is brought into Subjection unto the Obedience of Christ This Perfection is not pretended to in Bethania to be a Perfection in parts 1 Cor. 12.11 for that is the Gift of God and he distributeth thereof severally to every one as he will but it is a coming up to all the Requirements of God that are or can be known with diligent search John 15.14 1 Pet. 1.10 with a careful abstaining from all Actions and appearances pearances from Evil giving up the whole Heart and Soul to God 1 Thess 5.12 Prov. 23.6 Jer. 29.12 13. Rom. 6.19 Verse 22. Cant. 1.6 and yielding the Members of the Body as Instruments of Righteousness in his Service and to his Praise And so having the whole fruit of the Soul and also the whole fruit of the Body unto most pure Holiness the end will be Everlasting Life Let none of our Mothers Children be too angry with us though we go a little out of their Vineyards in this difficult point of Doctrine for if they will enquire further about it we readily shall in the best manner we can explain and confirm the same in all Humility and Meekness of Spirit Col. 3.15 which is the ruling Spirit in Bethania EIGHTEENTHLY The Catholick Church of Christ it believed in Bethania according to the Scriptures Eph. 1.23 1 Cor. 10.16 17. Rom. 15.5 1 Cor. 12.27 Rev. 11.1 Psal 45.13 Ephes 1.19 Cant. 6.13 Isa 9.6 and that Ancient Article of the Apostles Creed to be a Communion of Saints or Holy ones Constituted by Divine Appointments and ordered by Rules from Heaven being richly adorned with Divine Vertue and possessed with exceeding great Power She is the Blessed Sbulamite deriving her Name and Divine Nature from Shulim for Shallom the Prince of Peace being his Sister and also his Spouse she doth and wi●● appear in a Threefold State The first of which Mat. 5.14 is Formal I which she is as a City on a Hill from whence True Doctrine and Divin● Purity shines forth unto the World. In this Estate Her Worship is visible confisting of Forrus and Ordinance Goings-out Ezek. 43.11 John 10.9 and Coming in And ● this belongs those two Blessed Sacraments viz Baptism and the Lord Supper But Her formal State ● measured from Heaven and He whole visible Limits round about Ezek. 43.11 must be most Holy. Her Second State is Spiritual Wherein She is vailed and unknown unto the World John 3.2 Cant. 6.10 John 4.24 Phil. 3.3 1 Cor. 12.13 Rev. 2.17 John 6.55 Isa 32.2 1 Cor. 10.4 Cant. 8.13 Chap. 4.12 and in this Estate She Worshipeth the Invisible Father in Spirit and Truth Injoying a Baptisin which is inward and Spiritual and a Supper that every one knows not of For the hidden Manna is Her Divine Food and the Spiritual Rock giveth Her Water In this Spiritual Estate She is a close Companion with the Blessed Lamb and dwells within the measuring Line So is a Garden inclosed a Spring shut up a Fountain sealed and though Her outward and visible Limit be oft assaulted and sometimes trodden under feet by the Gentiles Isa 32.2 Psal 91.4 Cant. 2.10 Yet here She is secure under the Shadow of the Rock of Agess Even under the wing of Christ as his only Fair

perfect Rest in Eternal Joy. ONE and TWENTIETHLY Fasting in Bethania is of great Antiquity and was first commanded in Eden especially from some things of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil Gen. 2.17 and it hath run through all Dispensations from the Beginning until this time in which serious Exercise many Holy Men of God have been very famous yea those that have been filled most with God have often enjoyed the least of Creatures Moses fasted twice forty days yet in that time he was close with him Deut. 9.9 Verse 18. Exod. 34.30 1 Kings 19.8 2 Kings 2.11 Dan. 10.3 and came from him with a shining Face Elijah fasted forty days and at last God sent for him from Earth to Heaven Daniel he fasted three full Weeks though not from all kind of Food yet from that which was accounted pleasing and he was a man greatly beloved David chastened his Soul with fasting and he saith That his Knees were grown weak thereby Psal 109 24. yet he was a man dear unto God and sometimes enjoyed much of his presence Esth 4.16 Esther was a very Glorious Queen yet in a weighty case yielded her self unto three days fasting Jesus our Saviour fasted forty Days and forty Nights Mat. 4.2 in the beginning of his most Sacred Ministry So likewise his Apostles and approved Ministers were and are often in Fastings 1 Cor. 11.27 Luke 2.36 37 Hannah served God with Fastings and Prayer Night and Day Christ gave Directions to his Disciples about fasting and the Disciples of John were Exercised therein It was not only found among Jews and Christians Mat. 6.16 but Heathens also were famous in it For King Darius passed the Night in Fasting Mat. 14. Mark 2. Dan. 6. Act. 10.30 and the Prayers of Cornelius were performed with it Therefore it is an approved and a dilligent observed Custom in the City Bethania who also for divers Ends and in divers Manners observeth the same Sometimes it is used for the chastening of the Soul Psal 69.10 1 Cor. 9.27 and beating down of the Body that the Flesh may become weak and the Spirit strengthned in Vertue At other times when they go about any weighty Undertaking or desire to obtain any special Mercy or to remove any sore Affliction all or any of these are attempted and managed by Prayer and Fasting Dan. 9.4 Esth 4.16 If there be a publick Design on foot then Fasting is publick also yet not made common to any but only those who are concerned in it Joel 2.12 These retire themselves into the greatest Retirement as possible may be and there with earnest Prayers and silent Groans with frequent Sighs of Soul to God spend their time in most serious manner Rom. 8.26 Ezra 9.4 little minding their own Ease or moving from place to place except in great Necessity suspending all other Actions but those only that appertain to the present Exercise else it is not Fasting Isa 58.4 for Fasting is an Abstenance Neither do they mind any business nor take any Food or Natural Refreshment but with great Watchfulness keep their Minds retired to the Lord waiting to see how he appeareth unto their Souls And all their time is not spent in speaking Words but mostly in the Exercise of their Soul and working of the Mind with the Lord. Verse 9.27 But private Fasts if it be to beat down the Body and bring it into Subjection that it may not be too strong for the Soul then that kind of Fasting is accompanied with Labour or any Exercise whatsoever But if it be for obtaining any special Mercy or for the removing of any sore Affliction or for Assistance against any dangerous Temptation or for the subduing of any prevailing Corruption ●hen it is performed in great Retirement 1 Cor. 7.5 And so Wives and Husbands withdraw themselves from one another during that time of Fasting the which if it be for many days then they take a little Food and a little Water and after enjoy each others Company again Dan. 10.3 Phil. 4.5 Amos 4.6 with such moderate Refreshments of Nature that will stand with Christian Sobriety But much Wine and strong Beer and dainty Meats and gorgeous Apparel with soft and pleasant Resting places being inconsistent with the state of Pilgrims Heb. 13.14 are therefore meer Strangers in Bethania TWO and TWENTIETHLY Singing of Psalms in Bethania is a certain Divine and Spiritual Exercise by which the Inhabitants thereof do celebrate the Praises of the most High God and it is mainly and chiefly an Exercise of the Soul being performed by the lifting up of the Soul and Spirit unto great Jehovah Psal 32.7 and this Divine Mirth springeth up in the Souls of those who are in Experience of some Spiritual Refreshments Psal 101.1 Therefore when any is merry they sing Psalms in which they teach and admonish one another with Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in their Hearts to the Lord James 5.13 Col 3.16 Ephes 5.19 speaking also to themselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs making Melody in their Hearts to the Lord giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Verse 20. So Jesus our Saviour rejoyced in Spirit and then said I thank Thee Luke 10.21 Psal 25.1 Psal 103.1 Job 29.30 Isa 65.30 Jer. 31.25 O Father c. Even so David lifted up his Soul to God and then set his Soul to bless his Holy Name and Job caused the Widows Heart to sing Even so faith the Lord My Servants shall sing for joy of Heart for I have satiated the weary Soul and I have Replenished every Sorrowful Soul. By all which and much more that might be said it appeareth that singing is a Work of the Heart and Soul the which being inwardly refreshed calleth to the Tongue to awake and declare it Psal 57.8 And it is only proper to those and none but those who are in Communion with the Blessed Lamb in some of Sions Glory For none can learn these Spiritual Songs Rev. 14.3 Chap. 5.3 but such who are Redeemed from an Earthly State and have gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the Number of his Name so that it be the Redeemed of the Lord whom he hath recovered from Spiritual Babylon that can say and sing Psal 107.2 Thy Mercy endureth for ever Therefore Singing of Psalms and Spiritual Songs 1 Cor. 12.4 Rom. 12.6 1 Cor. 14.26 Psal 40.3 Psal 137.4 is no Gospel-Ordinance neither is every individual Member of Gospel-Churches able to perform it But it is properly a Gospel-Gift and only belongs to those into whose Mouth the Lord hath put the New Song For who can sing the Songs of Sion while they sit by the Waters of Babylon who though they do often remember her and greatly desire to be there