Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	angel_n	earth_n	part_n	3,093	5	4.2458	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B12161	The thankefull Samaritane In a sermon at S. Peters in Exeter, the sixth of August, Anno 1617. Being the day of the deliuerance of that citie from the rebels, in the dayes of King Edward the Sixth. At which time the Assises was also there holden. By Iohn Comyns Master of Arts of Exeter Colledge in Oxford, and minister of Gods word at Crediton in Devon.	Comyns, John, b. 1587 or 8.	1617 (1617)	STC 5614; ESTC S114489	17,113	24

THE THANKEFVLL SAMARITANE In a Sermon at S. PETERS in EXETER the sixth of AVGVST Anno 1617. Being the day of the deliuerance of that Citie from the Rebels in the dayes of King EDWARD the Sixth At which time the Assises was also there holden By IOHN COMYNS Master of Arts of EXETER Colledge in OXFORD and Minister of GODS Word at CREDITON in DEVON 1. THESS 5.18 In all things giue thankes for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you LONDON Printed by William Stansby 1617. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL MASTER IOHN SHEERE MAJOR of the Citie of EXETER I. C. wisheth the felicitie of both Worlds Grace in this life and glorie in the next SIR I Here present vnto your view what was first meditated by your appointment it had neuer beene penned but for you and therefore it doth of right appertayne vnto you I confesse that at the time of the deliuerie hereof the weakenesse of my memorie was such as neuer before I had experience of in a Pulpit by reason whereof I ouer-slipped many things And that was one speciall motiue that made me the more willing to commit it to the Presse that what was purposed and penned to be preached but through debilitie of memorie was not vttered with the mouth and therefore could not be heard with the eare might yet at length be seene with the eye If this poore labour of mine shall finde entertaynement with you as a testimonie of my thankefulnesse for your vndeserued kindnesse towards me and of that respectiue loue and louing respect I beare you and if it may be a meanes of the least good vnto any Christian soule into whose hands it shal come I haue enough And thus I commend you to God beseeching him to keepe you by his power through faith vnto saluation and will for euer rest Yours in all Christian dutie IOHN COMYNS THE THANKEFVLL SAMARITANE LVKE 17.15 16 17 18. 15. And one of them when he saw that he was healed turned backe and with a loud voice praised God 16. And fell downe on his face at his feete and gaue him thankes and he was a Samaritane 17. And Iesus answered and said Are there not ten cleansed but where are the nine 18. There are none found that returned to giue God praise saue this Stranger WHen Satan that old Serpent had stung our first Parents and in them had poysoned all their posteritie so that mankinde had receiued such a deepe and desperate wound as that it passed the skill and power of all the Angels of heauen and all the Creatures on earth to heale the same it pleased the great a Mat. 9.12 Physicion of the world to come downe vnsent for by wounded man from the height of heauen to the earth below to cure this otherwise incurable spirituall sore of the Sons of men that as they who were bitten with fierie Serpents in the dayes of Moses were preserued aliue by looking vpon that fierie brazen Serpent Num. 21.8 9. which Moses made and set vpon a pole by the commandement of God so all of those that had a spiritual eye of faith to looke vpon this true brazen Serpent who was lifted vp not only on the Crosse Iohn 3.14 but also by the preaching of the Gospel might not perish but haue life euerlasting And during the time of his continuance here on earth for the healing of mankindes grieuous wound he wrought also many miraculous cures on them that were diseased with bodily infirmities he opened the eyes of the blinde so that they were able to see and the eares of the deafe so that they were able to heare he loosed the strings of the tongues of the dumbe so that they were able to speake and strengthened the feete and ancle bones of the lame so that they were able to walke he rebuked the feauers and they left those who were sicke of them and healed the bloudie issue whereof the woman could not be made whole Marke 5.26 but as one Euangelist hath added became much worse though shee had suffered many things of many Physicions and had spent all that shee had finally he cleansed the Lepers as here in the Storie whence the Text is taken Now as the earthly Physicion must haue his fee when he hath finished his cure so is there a fee due vnto and expected of this heauenly Physicion Doe not thinke that siluer and gold or any worldly pelfe is the fee which he will be best pleased withall No no it s a matter of lesse cost to thee Thankfulnesse the heauenly Physicions fee. yet of more acceptance with him hee lookes to haue thankes for his paines that is his fee yet hath he cured many that haue not paid him here were ten Lepers cleansed and but one of them turned backe and praised God and gaue him thankes And therefore might hee iustly complaine of the detestable ingratitude of the other nine that hauing wrought on them so great a cure yet was denyed by them so small a fee. In this portion of Scripture I consider these two generall parts viz. 1 The euent of the miraculous healing of those Lepers viz. 1 The thankfulnesse of one 2 The ingratitude of nine 2 The euent of that euent viz. 1 Christs complaint of the great ingratitude of nine 2 Christs approbation of the thankfulnesse of one And one of them c. What this one thankefull Samaritane and the other nine vnthankfull Iewes were bodily that are we al spiritually to wit infected with the leprosie of sinne it s a disease hereditarie wherwith we are all possessed euen from our conception and birth Psal 51.5 He was a Saint that confessed himselfe to be conceiued and borne a sinner and if we will beleeue S. Suscepit Dauid personam generis humani Aug. in Loc. Austine he did in that confession take vpon himselfe the person of all mankinde so that all that euer descended from Adam by the ordinarie course of naturall generation are infected with an in-bred spirituall leprosie as soone as euer they are conceiued in the wombe and it may truely be said of them all that they were ouer-spred with the darknesse of sinne euen while their Mother kept them warme in her wombe before they came forth to see the light of the world and were dead in sinne and wickednesse before euer they drew the breath of life in the world and that they were no sooner naturally conceiued men but they were also conceiued spiritually leprous men and that they receiued life and sinne in one moment the first from God their iust Creator the other from Adam their sinfull Progenitor The Apostle doth plainly auouch so much when as he saith that in Adam all haue sinned How Rom. 5.12 16 19 but by drawing from him guiltinesse of nature and corruption of nature First guiltinesse because all stand charged with Adams disobedience in the first moment of their conception as if it had beene their owne that being

the true Church but not for the manies sake but for the truths sake Is it not a silly kinde of Popish reasoning to say We haue a great multitude of Bishops and Kings and Cardinals and Doctors c. on our side and you Protestants haue but one or two Princes c. therfore is our Church the true one and our Religion the sound one for why Pagans and Mahometans doe in number farre exceede the Christians shall we therefore conclude that to be the truth which is professed embraced and followed by them I trow not Haue there not alwayes beene more Idolaters then orthodox Professors Did not a 1. Kings 19. Elijah and some few thousands worship the Lord of Hosts when as the most part bowed the knees vnto Baal was not b 2. Pet. 2.7 righteous Noe with his small number saued when the rest were disobedient and perished in the waters were there not ten here cleansed but one that returned to giue God thanks yet I hope a Papist dare not denie that the greatest of those numbers were the worst and the smallest the best wherefore the multitude of Professors is not an argument of the truth of the Religion professed Againe we see The multitude not to be followed how those men come within the compasse of a iust reproofe that in matters of beliefe and practice will conforme themselues to the greatest part and will defend all courses which they affect or vnder-take by the example of a multitude Our Fathers say they were of this Religion they embraced such and such opinions the best and the wisest and the greatest and the richest men thinke thus and thus practise this and that and why should not we thinke and doe so likewise Alas beloued doe not the more part walke in the broad way that leadeth to destruction Are we not forbidden to follow a c Exod. 23.2 multitude to doe euill Is not the smallest number commonly the best if we be transgressors together with others shall we not be d Psal 37.38 destroyed together with them Shal our torments be the lesse in hell if we goe thither with the generalitie or our ioyes be the lesse in heauen if we walke thither with a few no no for he deserueth no lesse punishment that killeth an innocent accompanyed with others then he that doth it alone and a man endureth no lesse paine if he burne with many then he should with few Wherefore it is a corrupt choise if wee haue followed the most rather then the best and ioyned our selues to the great rather then to the good for the most may beleeue a matter which hath no soundnesse in it and may follow a course which hath no holinesse in it In a third place we see what reason we haue to harken vnto that counsell and exhortation of our Sauiour a Luke 13.24 Striue to enter in at the strait gate In our iourney towards heauen we must obserue a right contrarie course from that which we take in our earthly iourneyes for in our trauailes on earth wee keepe the broad beaten way but in trauailing to heauen we must walke in the narrowest path In our iourneyes here it is good wisedome to goe with the most company but in iournying to heauen it is safest and surest to goe with the fewest It s far better to returne vnto Christ with one then to goe away from him with nine Wherefore let vs shake off securitie and carelesnesse because the greater part shall perish and the fewer there are that shall be saued the more b Matt. 11.12 violence let the Kingdome of heauen suffer and the greater let the care of vs all be that we may be some of them And thus much for the first point A second obseruation which I draw from this One Christ will bid one welcome though hee come al alone that returned to giue Christ thankes is this That if but one among many shall come vnto Christ and truly turne to him euen that one shall be sure to finde a most kinde and gracious welcome Let n●ne cleansed Lepers refuse to turne backe to giue glorie vnto God yet if the tenth shall come Christ will entertayne him louingly If there be but one righteous c Gen. 7. Noe amongst them of the old world but one iust d Gen. 19. Lot amongst all the Sodomites but one faithfull e Iosh 6. Rahab amongst the inhabitants of Iericho but one good Ioseph in Egypt but one good f 1. Kings 18. Obadiah in all Ahabs Court but one g Ibid. vers 22. Elias a Prophet of the Lord amongst foure hundred and fiftie prophets of Baal but one h 1. Kings 22. Michaiah amongst foure hundred flattering prophets but one i Iohn 7. Nicodemus amongst all them that sate in counsell against Christ yet will God alwayes haue regard to that one and will surely prouide and take care for him There is ioy saith our k Luk. 15.7.10 Sauiour in the presence of the Angels of God euen for but one sinner that repenteth and conuerteth This second obseruation serueth for a twofold vse The euill fashion of the world must not keepe vs back from doing of good First to condemne such as keepe themselues backe from the performance of good dueties because the flat contrarie is practised by the most part of men I could be content to bestow my Benefices freely saith a Patrone but I see the common course and guise of Patrons is to make the most of them why should I only put away mine for nothing I will therefore take what is offered me by such a man and buy my selfe three or foure faire suites to braue it out with the best at the Assises I could finde in my heart saith a luke-warme Professor to sanctifie the Sabbath to heare and repeate Sermons to pray with my Familie to put no money to Vsurie to restore the things I haue wrongfully gotten to speake the truth and not to coozen my Neighbour c. but I see the fashion of the world is otherwise and I am loth to goe alone Alas alas beloued shall Christ inuite vs so louingly to a Matt. 11.28 come vnto him and will hee bid vs heartily welcome though we come alone and yet shall we absent our selues because other men will not goe with vs O let not the custome of the world in practising wickednesse detayne vs any longer from comming vnto Christ and following of goodnesse In a second place this Doctrine serueth for a singular consolation vnto the children of God who sometimes perhaps may be discouraged because they walke as it were in vntroden paths and seeme as b 1. Kings 19.10 14. Elias thought himselfe to be left alone hauing many disswaders and few encouragers many labouring to pull them backward and few prouoking constantly to goe forward let them comfort themselues with this that they shal be welcomed by Christ though they come all alone vnto

righteousnesse is accepted with Christ of what Nation soeuer he be as also in all the rest because the time will not giue leaue to speake largely of all namely this That those who come to Christ and are workers of righteousnesse shall be accepted with him of what Countrie or condicion soeuer they be As here wee see that this one which returned to glorifie God was not reiected of Christ though he were a Samaritane The holy Scripture doth in sundrie places confirme the truth of this point for we reade that a Rom. 2.11 there is no respect of persons with God and that in Christ Iesus b Gal. 3.28 there is neither Iew nor Grecian Samaritane nor Scythian there is neither bond nor free male nor female c Acts 10.35 but in euery Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him as S. Peter tels vs and whosoeuer d 1. Iohn 3.29 doth righteously is borne of him as S. Iohn witnesseth Christ himselfe hath spoken with his own mouth without exception of Nation without exception of Age without exception of Sexe without exception of Estate without exception of Degree without any exception at all that he e Iohn 6 37. casteth not away any one that commeth vnto him Let vs make vse of this point also What a singular consolation doth this Doctrine minister to all those that are truely religious Comfort for poore Christians working righteousnesse and worshipping the Lord in Spirit and Truth Suppose that they be poore and haue but a small pittance of worldly things say they be base and haue no earthly dignities admit they want that comely proportion of body which others haue and that externall beautie to make them gracious and louely in the eyes of men grant that they be despised and nothing esteemed among men let them be compassed with miseries on euery side yet may they cheere vp their hearts and say Though my outward crosses and afflictions be so many and though they were a thousand times more yet doth God esteeme mee neuer the lesse yet haue I the King of heauen for my Father Christ Iesus for my Brother the blessed Angels for my Attendants and the Kingdome of heauen for my inheritance Let men contemne me and set me at nought yet he that reiected not the Samaritane which returned to giue him thankes will not cast away me which am his seruant Moreouer Outward respects make not men acceptable to God this Doctrine serueth for an instruction or admonition to the Great Noble Wise and Wealthy ones of the world Let not such perswade themselues or beare themselues in hand that their Greatnesse their Riches their Honor their Possessions their deepe Learning or any worldly respect whatsoeuer can procure the fauour of God and make them acceptable to him For vnlesse the Honorable person do honor God vnlesse they which are termed Right Worshipfull bee right worshippers of God vnlesse they which abound in worldly wealth doe abound in faith in knowledge in loue and in other good graces vnlesse they a Gen. 17.1 walke before God and be vpright as Abraham was commanded to doe vnlesse they be workers of righteousnesse and truely thankefull vnto God as was this Samaritane surely howsoeuer they be highly esteemed among men yet are they abominable in the sight of God And thus from shewing you what this cleansed person was I come to shew you what he did viz. First he saw that he was healed that is he considered with himselfe what a great blessing the Lord had bestowed vpon him in that he was cleansed from his leprosie Secondly He turned backe Thirdly He praised God with a loud voice Fourthly He fell downe on his face at Iesus feete Fiftly He gaue Christ thankes Now the practice of this Samaritane is here recorded for our imitation What the Samaritane did is a duetie which we ought to performe that wee likewise should not suffer the benefits of God to flip out of our mindes but should renew the memorie of them by a serious consideration and meditation of the same that so we may be stirred vp to giue thanks vnto the a Iam. 1.17 Father of lights from whom euery good giuing and euery perfect gift commeth downe as S. Iames speaketh And surely more then thanks God expecteth not for the greatest blessings that euer he bestowed it is his command that wee should b Psal 50.14 15 23. call vpon him in the day of trouble and it is his promise that he will deliuer vs and it is his expectation that we should offer him praise glorifie his name O then how vnkind are we if we render lesse when as God requireth no more Hezekiah was a wise King yet he played but a foolish part in that c 2. Chro. 32.25 he did not render according to the reward bestowed vpon him and what followed vpon his vnthankfulnes Wrath saith the Text came vpon him and vpon Iudah and Ierusalem Beloued Christians there is no Nation or people vnder the Sun that haue more need to be stirred vp to the performance of this dutie of thankfulnesse then the Inhabitants of this our Iland vpon whom God hath heaped so many and so excellent blessings How hath he magnified his goodnesse towards this whole Land in the raysing vp and wonderfull preseruation of that famous Princesse of blessed memorie Q. Elizabeth who was an instrument of much good and happines vnto this Kingdome Anno 1588. Did he not make the Sea in her dayes to fight against the superstitious Spaniard so that winde and water ouercame that inuincible Armie prepared for our destruction and that in such sort that the * Treat to Mendoza Popish relator hereof confessed ingenuously that God himselfe in that sea-fight shewed himselfe a very Lutherane and meere Protestant What miraculous deliuerances hath he wrought for our gracious Soueraigne King Iames from the conspiracie of Gowrie and from that bloudie-intended Massacre by Gun-powder What peace and plentie doth our Land enioy through the blessing of God Hath he not also bestowed vpon this nation the inestimable pearle of his holy and heauenly Word Is not his glorious Gospell truely sincerely plentifully preached among vs vnder the peaceable gouernment of a most religious Prince so that we may come to Church in peace and heare in peace b Mat. 13.16 17. O happie eyes and eares of ours and returne home in peace that we may come in our slippers and sit on our Cushions Hath not God dispelled from hence the darke mists of Popish superstition and planted true Religion among vs Moreouer that my speech may be somewhat framed to the time haue not you of this Citie tasted many of the blessings of God Are you not met heere in great solemnity at this present in remembrance of the deliuerance which God wrought for your Citie in the dayes of King Edward the sixth from those Rebels who inuaded it and twice burned the