Selected quad for the lemma: kingdom_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
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A39775
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The one necessary thing to be sought briefly touched in a four-fold dialogue upon some of the great and most concerning truths of practical religion.
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Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.; Fleming, Robert, 1660?-1716.
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1679
(1679)
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Wing F1283; ESTC R28632
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47,023
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70
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as_o you_o seem_v to_o understand_v or_o that_o none_o possible_o can_v be_v save_v herein_o whilst_o not_o so_o gross_a and_o corrupt_a as_o other_o answ_n you_o know_v what_o account_n the_o scripture_n have_v give_v of_o this_o and_o how_o exact_a a_o portraiture_n be_v there_o of_o such_o a_o state_n in_o its_o true_a shape_n and_o colour_n and_o if_o man_n will_v but_o credit_v their_o own_o eye_n let_v they_o but_o first_o look_v in_o on_o themselves_o and_o then_o abroad_o upon_o the_o world_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a such_o must_v see_v that_o the_o face_n do_v not_o more_o answer_v to_o its_o own_o resemblance_n in_o the_o glass_n than_o this_o deplorable_a state_n of_o nature_n without_o renovation_n by_o grace_n do_v answer_v that_o marvellous_a and_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o write_a word_n thereof_o and_o oh_o be_v it_o not_o a_o amaze_a and_o horrid_a sight_n when_o such_o be_v the_o state_n of_o nature_n as_o 1._o neither_o can_v nor_o will_v receive_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 2_o ver_fw-la 14._o but_o what_o ever_o use_v these_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o reason_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n both_o natural_a and_o civil_a yea_o in_o the_o theory_n of_o religious_a thing_n yet_o neither_o know_v nor_o can_v savour_v what_o spiritual_a truth_n be_v in_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o nature_n 2._o where_o you_o see_v so_o strange_a a_o enmity_n and_o imbred_a alienation_n from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n with_o a_o continue_a bias_n and_o tendency_n against_o holiness_n gal._n 4_o ver_fw-la 29._o where_o no_o private_a quarrel_n or_o personal_a interest_n give_v rise_v thereto_o yea_o thus_o how_o no_o enmity_n be_v more_o deep_a and_o fix_v against_o the_o gospel_n than_o that_o which_o follow_v a_o polish_a and_o refine_a nature_n 3._o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o saint_n who_o have_v each_o a_o unregenerat_a part_n within_o but_o a_o natural_a conscience_n be_v enforce_v to_o witness_v how_o sin_n be_v attend_v with_o shame_n and_o a_o make_v themselves_o vile_a thereby_o yea_o such_o as_o none_o can_v put_v on_o their_o clothes_n in_o the_o morning_n but_o may_v have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o fall_v state_n of_o man_n 4._o from_o whence_o be_v these_o war_n &_o fight_n without_o and_o these_o impetuous_a boiling_n of_o envy_n wrath_n and_o revenge_n within_o be_v they_o not_o from_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n jam._n 4_o ver_fw-la 16._o yea_o such_o eager_a grasping_n after_o that_o bait_n of_o carnal_a pleasure_n even_o whilst_o they_o know_v the_o embitter_a sting_n which_o inseparable_o follow_v thereon_o 5._o and_o what_o do_v these_o strange_a conflict_n and_o contrary_a tide_n with_o which_o man_n be_v so_o oft_o hurry_v and_o rend_v in_o piece_n as_o with_o wild_a horse_n betwixt_o their_o judgement_n and_o will_n which_o once_o be_v in_o a_o sweet_a league_n such_o as_o even_o heathen_n be_v conforce_v to_o see_v and_o confess_v that_o if_o the_o mind_n of_o flagitious_a man_n be_v lay_v open_a it_o shall_v be_v see_v how_o they_o be_v cruciate_v and_o punish_v by_o their_o own_o sin_n and_o as_o the_o body_n be_v rend_v and_o tear_v by_o torture_n so_o be_v the_o mind_n by_o cruelty_n envy_n lust_n and_o passion_n with_o these_o inordinate_a desire_n and_o perturbation_n within_o oh_o what_o do_v those_o mean_v if_o you_o will_v but_o come_v near_a to_o consider_v this_o so_o sad_a and_o amaze_a a_o sight_n be_v they_o not_o a_o visible_a transcript_n of_o black_a nature_n whereinto_o man_n be_v fall_v 6._o and_o what_o a_o horrid_a thing_n must_v that_o be_v that_o shall_v be_v capable_a of_o such_o contempt_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n and_o so_o insensible_a of_o its_o own_o vileness_n and_o pollution_n yea_o such_o as_o render_v man_n under_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o all_o accomplishment_n of_o gift_n whether_o moral_a or_o natural_a yea_o the_o great_a of_o man_n who_o be_v stranger_n to_o a_o renew_a state_n to_o be_v the_o vile_a &_o base_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o o_o what_o a_o dreadful_a sight_n will_v such_o once_o be_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o angel_n when_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o shame_n of_o their_o nakedness_n shall_v be_v then_o show_v forth_o qu._n iii_o though_o i_o be_o enforce_v to_o assent_v to_o such_o clear_a &_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o that_o deplorable_a state_n man_n be_v in_o by_o nature_n whilst_o though_o it_o can_v be_v hide_v yet_o how_o little_a be_v it_o consider_v or_o lay_v to_o heart_n but_o oh_o be_v there_o so_o indispensible_a a_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n and_o to_o know_v the_o inward_a power_n thereof_o on_o the_o soul_n and_o of_o a_o new_a life_n beget_v in_o we_o by_o regeneration_n as_o none_o can_v be_v possible_o save_v and_o secure_v from_o everlasting_a wrath_n without_o this_o whilst_o there_o be_v such_o abound_a light_n in_o these_o time_n yea_o a_o visible_a adherence_n and_o assent_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o many_o who_o may_v be_v stranger_n to_o this_o answ_n i_o shall_v but_o offer_v some_o ground_n to_o clear_v the_o absolute_a and_o peremptor_n necessity_n of_o this_o you_o seem_v to_o question_v and_o then_o leave_v you_o to_o judge_v thereanent_a when_o you_o have_v once_o bring_v they_o near_o your_o thought_n 1._o though_o our_o right_n and_o claim_v to_o a_o eternal_a glory_n must_v alone_o be_v by_o the_o righteousnese_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v not_o found_v on_o holiness_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o true_a we_o have_v none_o without_o it_o for_o without_o this_o have_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n by_o his_o word_n and_o faithfulness_n insure_v that_o none_o shall_v see_v his_o face_n hebr._n 12_o ver_fw-la 14._o nor_o without_o the_o new_a birth_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n joh._n 3_o ver_fw-la 3._o 2._o it_o be_v sure_a without_o this_o man_n hope_n of_o the_o glory_n which_o be_v to_o come_v can_v lean_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o that_o the_o holy_a god_n must_v cease_v to_o be_v faithful_a and_o true_a and_o rescind_v his_o everlasting_a decree_n and_o purpose_n for_o comply_v with_o their_o sin_n eph._n 1_o ver_fw-la 4._o who_o have_v choose_v we_o in_o christ_n before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v holy_a and_o unblameable_a before_o he_o in_o love_n 3._o if_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reconcile_n of_o heaven_n and_o hell_n then_o without_o this_o can_v none_o enter_v into_o that_o bless_a state_n where_o be_v the_o perfect_a enjoyment_n of_o god_n since_o there_o be_v a_o amaze_a inconsistence_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o how_o such_o can_v possible_o dwell_v there_o who_o be_v never_o make_v meet_v to_o he_o partaker_n of_o that_o inheritance_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o light_n by_o a_o new_a nature_n coloss_n 1_o ver_fw-la 12._o 4._o and_o what_o a_o strange_a contradiction_n to_o reason_n be_v this_o for_o to_o think_v they_o be_v approach_v to_o glory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o way_n to_o grace_n or_o that_o such_o can_v love_v that_o in_o another_o world_n which_o they_o now_o so_o visible_o hate_v or_o can_v thus_o own_o any_o true_a desire_n or_o hope_n of_o that_o bless_a state_n who_o have_v such_o a_o natural_a and_o imbred_a aversion_n to_o the_o begin_v enjoy_v of_o it_o here_o in_o the_o life_n and_o work_n of_o sanctification_n 5._o it_o be_v sure_a that_o our_o eternal_a life_n in_o glory_n must_v be_v begin_v in_o that_o new_a life_n which_o be_v by_o grace_n form_v here_o in_o the_o soul_n nor_o can_v such_o ever_o possible_o expect_v to_o enter_v that_o kingdom_n which_o be_v above_o where_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n in_o some_o measure_n be_v not_o know_v within_o here_o which_o consist_v in_o righteousness_n peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n rom._n 14_o ver_fw-la 17._o though_o it_o be_v sure_a also_o that_o grace_n and_o grace_n alone_o must_v sum_n and_o close_v all_o our_o account_n yea_o that_o the_o whole_a of_o practical_a godliness_n must_v resolve_v there_o i_o live_v yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o i_o and_o the_o life_n i_o now_o live_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o live_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o galat._n 2_o ver_fw-la 20._o qu._n iu._n i_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o easy_a except_o man_n turn_v resolute_o atheist_n to_o debate_v this_o truth_n but_o oh_o what_o shall_v it_o mean_v that_o so_o few_o can_v be_v see_v in_o earnest_n in_o such_o a_o throng_n of_o profess_a christian_n with_o that_o excellent_a study_n of_o holiness_n who_o yet_o come_v the_o further_a length_n in_o a_o assent_n thereto_o and_o what_o may_v most_o help_v
himself_o to_o be_v 9_o it_o be_v these_o who_o with_o great_a quiet_a dare_v commit_v their_o interest_n to_o he_o as_o know_v in_o who_o they_o have_v believe_v and_o what_o ever_o confluence_n of_o manifold_a temptation_n may_v sometime_o meet_v in_o their_o lot_n yet_o know_v they_o shall_v not_o be_v tempt_v above_o measure_n but_o be_v still_o under_o his_o tender_a and_o watchful_a care_n who_o even_o while_o he_o smite_v with_o one_o hand_n do_v uphold_v with_o the_o other_o 10._o such_o be_v their_o lot_n as_o that_o which_o will_v seem_v the_o great_a pain_n in_o the_o study_n of_o godliness_n which_o be_v by_o mortification_n to_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o flesh_n and_o lust_n thereof_o lead_v in_o also_o the_o great_a pleasure_n and_o delight_n qu._n iii_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v strange_a what_o prejudice_n most_o have_v at_o serious_a godliness_n which_o they_o never_o know_v upon_o trial_n but_o what_o you_o i_o one_fw-mi in_o this_o last_o instance_n of_o that_o interest_n mortification_n to_o the_o flesh_n have_v in_o the_o comfort_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o christian_n life_n be_v such_o i_o can_v easy_o comprehend_v answ_n this_o can_v alone_o be_v know_v upon_o trial_n yet_o do_v but_o serious_o consider_v these_o 1._o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v so_o express_o conjoin_v they_o together_o matth._n 11_o 29._o take_v my_o yoke_n on_o you_o and_o learn_v of_o i_o etc._n etc._n and_o you_o shall_v find_v rest_n to_o your_o soul_n which_o will_v seem_v a_o strange_a way_n to_o so_o desirable_a a_o enjoyment_n 2_o you_o know_v this_o also_o to_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o saint_n in_o all_o age_n and_o with_o the_o great_a certainty_n of_o trial_n what_o inexpressible_a sweetness_n and_o delight_n they_o have_v know_v and_o experience_v in_o a_o suffer_a lot_n for_o christ_n and_o in_o such_o thing_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v most_o embitter_a and_o grievous_a to_o the_o flesh_n 3._o none_o yet_o ever_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o this_o also_o that_o by_o a_o natural_a result_n what_o ever_o tend_v to_o a_o abatement_n of_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n in_o resist_v thereto_o how_o sore_o and_o grieve_v soever_o it_o will_v seem_v at_o first_o lead_v into_o the_o great_a delight_n and_o comfort_n in_o the_o close_a 4._o it_o be_v here_o the_o christian_n promise_v reward_n to_o wrestle_v against_o corruption_n and_o a_o body_n of_o death_n be_v in_o some_o degree_n give_v in_o so_o as_o to_o know_v upon_o their_o own_o soul_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o peace_n which_o be_v in_o a_o close_o walk_v by_o this_o bless_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n gal._n 6_o 16._o 5._o and_o what_o a_o sweet_a jubilee_n have_v oft_o follow_v in_o their_o soul_n on_o resist_v and_o get_v victory_n over_o some_o predomlnant_a evil_n beyond_o what_o ever_o be_v know_v in_o the_o further_a yield_a and_o indulgenee_n to_o the_o flesh_n 6._o be_v not_o the_o most_o true_o comfort_v use_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o world_n find_v by_o have_v the_o heart_n much_o subdue_v thereto_o and_o thus_o keep_v off_o that_o dreadful_a rock_n of_o love_n to_o the_o world_n and_o eager_a desire_n after_o the_o same_o whereon_o so_o many_o thousand_o have_v at_o last_o make_v shipwreck_n qu._n four_o what_o be_v there_o not_o allow_v desire_n after_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o be_v true_o warrantable_a for_o man_n to_o seek_v a_o further_a increase_n to_o their_o estate_n and_o some_o large_a interest_n this_o way_n answ_n since_o this_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a talon_n man_n have_v for_o their_o master_n use_n and_o be_v accountable_a for_o it_o put_v it_o beyond_o question_n that_o there_o be_v both_o a_o warrantable_a follow_v and_o enjoy_v thereof_o with_o christian_a sobriety_n but_o these_o also_o will_v be_v deep_o ponder_v herewith_o 1._o that_o love_n to_o the_o world_n and_o thing_n thereof_o be_v so_o express_o a_o scripture_n sign_n of_o a_o reprobat_fw-la state_n 1_o joh._n 2_o 15._o and_o that_o no_o covetous_a shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 1_o cor._n 6_o 10._o which_o be_v so_o convince_a in_o the_o primitive_a time_n as_o covetousness_n upon_o any_o visible_a evidence_n be_v then_o a_o public_a scandal_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o how_o such_o be_v the_o deceitfulness_n of_o riches_n as_o be_v show_v by_o our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o mat._n 13_o v._n 22._o that_o as_o brier_n and_o thorn_n this_o native_a tendency_n be_v to_o choke_v the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o make_v it_o unfruitful_a even_o whilst_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v come_v forward_o some_o length_n and_o if_o any_o can_v bear_v this_o who_o may_v be_v in_o sad_a hazard_n to_o split_v on_o such_o a_o rock_n let_v they_o but_o go_v in_o and_o try_v the_o scripture_n thereanent_fw-la and_o not_o think_v strange_a that_o we_o neither_o may_v nor_o dare_v conceal_v the_o truth_n herein_o without_o apply_v it_o to_o man_n conscience_n qu._n v._n what_o suitable_a improvement_n be_v that_o which_o be_v necessary_o call_v for_o of_o the_o measure_n and_o talon_n which_o man_n have_v of_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n as_o might_n most_o tend_v to_o a_o solid_a peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o mind_n before_o the_o lord_n herein_o and_o to_o guard_v against_o such_o dreadful_a and_o evident_a hazard_n of_o eternal_a perish_v or_o spliting_a on_o that_o rock_n on_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v set_v so_o signal_n a_o beacon_n by_o most_o express_a and_o multiply_v warning_n from_o the_o scripture_n answ_n it_o be_v a_o great_a proposal_n you_o now_o make_v to_o which_o in_o a_o few_o word_n and_o with_o some_o seriousness_n i_o shall_v make_v this_o answer_n 1._o to_o consider_v what_o use_v you_o will_v choose_v to_o make_v or_o wish_v to_o have_v make_v of_o your_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n if_o you_o be_v at_o this_o hour_n to_o die_v so_o as_o with_o peace_n on_o such_o a_o account_n to_o enter_v into_o eternity_n 2._o that_o this_o i_o '_o not_o left_a arbitrary_a to_o any_o their_o trade_n with_o such_o a_o talon_n and_o be_v concern_v how_o to_o consecrat_v the_o gain_n thereof_o to_o the_o lord_n but_o it_o be_v a_o high_a piece_n of_o justice_n and_o no_o less_o necessity_n to_o show_v mercy_n to_o those_o who_o be_v true_o distress_v than_o to_o pay_v our_o debt_n since_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n have_v not_o leave_v this_o indifferent_a more_o than_o the_o other_o as_o be_v clear_a luk._n 16_o 10_o 11_o 12._o 3._o you_o will_v consider_v that_o riches_n be_v give_v to_o man_n as_o steward_n and_o not_o proprietor_n matth._n 25_o v._n 14._o i_o mean_v so_o as_o to_o reckon_v they_o may_v do_v herein_o at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o be_v unfaithfulness_n here_o a_o small_a weight_n to_o lie_v on_o the_o conscience_n and_o have_v no_o other_o account_n of_o their_o master_n good_n to_o give_v but_o that_o they_o apply_v they_o to_o their_o own_o use_n only_o 4._o do_v but_o lie_v to_o heart_n that_o such_o be_v this_o great_a duty_n in_o a_o faithful_a answer_v to_o one_o talon_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o tender_a respect_n to_o the_o condition_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o saint_n as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v most_o notice_v and_o that_o which_o will_v be_v bring_v in_o judgement_n against_o the_o reprobate_n yea_o on_o which_o that_o dreadful_a sentence_n there_o pass_v depart_v from_o i_o you_o curse_v into_o everlasting_a fire_n etc._n etc._n matth._n 25_o vers_fw-la 41._o 5._o to_o be_v faithful_a thus_o in_o answer_v to_o that_o talon_n be_v clear_a that_o it_o be_v to_o give_v and_o lay_v out_o yourself_o this_o way_n where_o you_o can_v expect_v no_o return_n or_o compensation_n otherwise_o it_o be_v but_o a_o self_n interest_n you_o follow_v and_o not_o a_o give_v to_o the_o lord_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o cast_v thy_o bread_n on_o the_o water_n eccles_n 11_o 1._o 6._o to_o be_v faithfulhere_o be_v something_o else_o than_o that_o occasional_a outgiving_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o any_o on_o some_o present_a and_o press_a object_n since_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o express_v that_o here_o shall_v be_v some_o proportion_n to_o every_o one_o measure_n and_o estate_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v serious_o consider_v and_o lay_v aside_o for_o which_o see_v that_o appointment_n deut._n 14_o 22._o &_o 16_o 12._o and_o how_o there_o it_o be_v hold_v forth_o on_o moral_n &_o immutable_a ground_n 1_o cor._n 16_o â—_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v as_o his_o measure_n can_v admit_v be_v concern_v in_o the_o improvement_n thereof_o 7._o this_o be_v not_o to_o entertain_v only_o some_o press_a call_n for_o this_o end_n when_o it_o come_v their_o way_n but_o to_o search_v out_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o