Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A32800
|
Of Episcopal confirmation in two discourses / by B. Camfield.
|
Camfield, Benjamin, 1638-1693.
|
1682
(1682)
|
Wing C381; ESTC R14520
|
52,623
|
130
|
the right method certainly to a good and durable Choice first to lay God's Judgments as distinctly as may be before our View as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 panis propositionis or Shew-bread placed on the Table under the Law with the Consequences attending the Observance of them that we may say whatever ensues or falls out Omnia praecepi atque animo mecum ante peregi All this I was well enough aware of when I first undertook my Religion Those that hear the Gospel preached and understand it not are resembled by our Blessed Saviour to the High-way ground where the Seed is wholly lost and those who do not consider and deliberate upon it within themselves to the Stony Ground where the Seed takes not any deep and kindly Rooting or hath not much Earth or Mould to cover it and therefore howsoever for the present it may be received with Joy yet it dureth for a while only For when Tribulation and Persecution ariseth because of the Word by and by saith he these are offended S. Matth. 13. 4. This Consideration and Deliberation I have been speaking of must not rest there but conclude in a free firm and zealous Resolution where we have four points more to meditate a while upon 1. It must come up to a Resolution that is the actual Determination of the Mind and Choice according to that of the Psalmist I have applyed or inclined my Heart to fulfil thy Statutes always even to the End Psal 119.112 And again elsewhere My Heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed Psal 57.8 Who is this that engaged his Heart to approach unto me saith the Lord Jer. 30.21 We must not always be considering and deliberating but bring the Matter to some Period and Issue within our selves and that not only as to some faint Wishes and Velleities but Purposes and Resolutions of cleaving unto God Such as David often expresseth I said I will take heed to my ways I will keep my Mouth as with a Bridle Psal 39.1 I have said that I will keep thy Words Ps 119.57 I have purposed that my Mouth shall not transgress Ps 17.3 c. How long halt ye between two Opinions saith the Prophet If God be God follow him 1 Kings 17. that is resolve and conclude upon it as you have all reason to do to serve him only 2. This Resolution must be free and voluntary not as upon Constraint or of Necessity or a forced Put not as a Burthen imposed but as hath been said a matter of Choice and that upon maturest Thoughts about it the cheerful Offering of a willing mind Such is that Service which is most acceptable unto God He loves a chearful Gier and a chearful Servant 2 Cor. 7.11 12. 9 6 7. He delights in none but Volunteers a willing People Ps 110.3 Such as esteem not his Commands grievous 1 St. John 5.3 Such as do not only take Sanctuary in Religion to avoid the Hand of the Avenger or embrace Piety and Vertue meerly to escape Wrath and Misery Hell and Damnation but from an Inward Satisfaction and Complacence in the Truth and Goodness and Excellency of them Thus we found it in the Psalmist I have chosen the way of Truth c. And thus Joshua deals with the Israelites ch 24.14 15. Fear the Lord saith he and serve him in Sincerity and Truth cleave unto him and that out of Love as he had said before and put away the Gods which your Fathers served that is all manner of Idols and if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord upon these Terms chuse you this day whom you will serve But whatever you chuse I for my part have chosen and resolved already As for me and my House we will serve the Lord. Whereupon the People provoked unto Emulation answer also for themselves ver 16. c. God forbid that we should forsake the Lord our God he it is that bought us and our Fathers out of the Land of Egypt from the House of Bondage and which did those Great Signs in our Sight and preserved us in all the way wherein we went and went among all the People through whom we passed and the Lord drove out before us all the People even the Amorites which dwell in the Land Therefore will we also serve the Lord for he is our God q. d. He is the God of our Lives and of all our Mercies who hath wrought all the Miracles we have beheld rescued us out of cruel Servitude and kept us in all the way of our Travails delivered us from most formidable Enemies Thus hath he many ways from time to time obliged us to himself and therefore as in all Gratitude we are bound we are resolv'd also to serve him Well but Joshua is yet concern'd lest they should not be so advised and thoughtful in this Resolution as it became them in such a Business of Importance to be and therefore wills them again to deliberate with themselves about it what they must engage on if they would in good earnest serve him how they must renounce all other Masters and abandon all their Sins and Lusts or otherwise he would accept of no Service from them So it follows verse 19. c. ' And Joshua said unto the People ye cannot serve the Lord for he is an Holy God he is a jealous God he will not forgive your Transgressions nor your Sins If ye forsake the Lord and serve strange Gods then he will turn and do you hurt and consume you after he hath done you good That is you cannot serve the Lord to any purpose unless you amend your Lives and Manners c. Now upon this the People again declare their Intentions Nay but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua once and again admonishes them still to the same effect and they as often consent to his proposal Ye are witnesses against your selves saith he at last that ye have chosen you the Lord to serve him And they said Amen to it We are Witnesses Now therefore saith he put away the strange Gods which are among you and incline your Heart unto the Lord God of Israel that is make good your own Choice in cleaving unto him And the People said unto Joshua The Lord our God will we serve and his Voice will we obey 3. This purpose of Heart must be sixed firm and stable for that indeed is properly Resolution obstinatio quaedam animi a Religious Obstinacy of Mind if I may so speak so as no longer to be wavering and uncertain carried to and fro with every Wind not apt to receive contrary Impressions or be diverted and turned aside either by Promises or Menaces from what is resolved on The Psalmist utters it in these words I have sworn and am stedfastly purposed to keep thy Righteous Judgments Psal 119. And elsewhere in a particular Case Lord remember David how he sware unto the Lord and vowed unto the Mighty God of Jacob Psal 132. that is bound his
both in every Individual and as it is embodied in the respective Societies of Men. 3. We may suppose he represented to them the Goodness and obligingness of that Lord and Master to whom they had devoted themselves How well he had deserved of them what transcendent and unparallel'd Love he had shewed to them in giving himself to and for them and redeeming of them with his most precious Blood And how ready he was still at all times to stand by them for their Help and Assistance in whatsoever he should call them to 4. It is not unlikely but he might bring into their View the great Cloud of Witnesses encompassing of them round about The many good Examples and Presidents both under the Old and New Testament whom they were herein to follow And then Lastly We may be sure he put them in mind of the exceeding and incomparable Recompence of Reward which would be certainly theirs if by patient Continuance in well-doing they look'd and waited for it A Reward of Eternal Life and Happiness and Glory wherewith neither the good nor the evil things of this World which are but for a moment are worthy to be weighed Concluding to a like purpose as we find St. Paul his Brother and Companion in that Work doth to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15. ult And I cannot conclude better than so Therefore my Beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your Labor is not in vain in the Lord. Lord of all Power and Might who art the Author and Giver of all good things graft in our Hearts the Love of thy Name Increase in us true Religion nourish us with all Goodness and of thy great Mercy keep us in the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord we beseech thee grant thy People Grace to withstand the Temptations of the World the Flesh and the Devil and with pure Hearts and Minds to follow thee the only God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God Forasmuch as without thee we are notable to please thee mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our Hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great Dangers that by reason of the Frailty of our Nature we cannot always stand upright grant to us such Strength and Protection as may support us in all Dangers and carry us through all Temptations through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's Understanding pour into our Hearts such Love towards thee that we loving thee above all things may obtain thy Promises which exceed all that we can desire through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen THE END A TABLE OF THE CHIEF CONTENTS OF the Scope and Sence of Hebr. 6.2 page 1. Our Church-Catechism most agreeable to the Apostolical p. 5. Of the Names whereby Confirmation is known and call'd viz. Imposition or laying on of Hands 7. Perfection 8. Chrism or Unction 9. Consigning or Sealing 10. Confirmation 11. Obligation 12. 2 Tim. 2.19 Well accommodated by Dr. Hammond to this matter ibid. Most of the precedent Names found in 2 Cor. 1.21 22. 14. Other Scripture Paterns and Grounds for it ib. Figur'd out and pointed to us in the visible Descent of the Holy Spirit 1. On our Blessed Saviour in the Form of a Dove St. Matthew 3. ib. 2. On the Apostles afterwards at Pentecost Acts 2. ibid. Recommended by Christ himself St. John 3.5 as Bishop Taylor with St. Cyprian expounded that Text 15. Vndoubtedly practiced by the Apostles St. Peter and John Confirming the Samaritans Baptized by Philip the Deacon Acts 8. St. Paul the Ephesians Acts 19. 16. These Instances so understood and appeal'd unto by St. Cyprian 17. St. Augustin 19. St. Hierom ibid. As will as by the Church of England 20. Some other Scripture Instances glanced at Acts 11.14 15. Chapters 21. This Apostolical Practice both a Light unto and farther Illustrated by Hebr. 6.2 expounded accordingly by the Ancient Fathers ib. The Additional Authority of the Council of Eliberis and Tertullian 22. The same allowed by the Generallity of Modern Expositors also ibid. Calvinists as Calvin 23 Beza 25. Piscator 26. Doctores Lugdun 27. Lutherans Chemnitius 28. Waldenses Confess Apolog. 30. Bohemian Brethren Comenius Ratio Disciplin c. 32 With some of Name among our selves Mr. Hanmer and Mr. Baxter 34. Dr. William Gouge ib. Assembl Annotations 35. Of the Ceremony of Imposition of Hands 37. Mr. Calvin 's Idle Question about it answered from his more calm and considering self 39. The Blessing of Ministers under the Gospel no less Authoritative and Prolifique than under the Law 41 Of the peculiar Minister of Confirmation the Bishop whence it is called Bishopping 42. So in the first Patterns and so confessedly in the Vsage of the Ancient Church ib. Mr. Bucer 's Reason for it ib. Their uncharitable Rashness condemn'd who impute it to the Bishop's Pride 44. What Supplemental Provision seemeth desirable upon some Necessities ibid. Of the Qualification of Persons to be confirmed viz. Baptism and Prae-instruction in the Church-Catechism at Years of Discretion 45. The Preface read to that purpose at Confirmation 46. The Question then also put by the Bishop and answered by all the Candidates 47. Aquinas and Contarenus of another mind but dislik'd by the later Romanists themselves 48. The Benefit of this Sacred Right depends much upon a competent Growth of Age and Vnderstanding ibid. No prejudice by deferring it till then by our Churches Declaration ibid. A serious Exhortation to all that come on this Errand 49. Of the great Importance and Vsefulness of this whole Transaction in five particulars 50. Melchiades his Epistle to the Bishops of Spain in Vindication of it 54. The same more largely from Eusebius Emissenus or Eucherius Lugdun Homilie on Pentecost 55. A Summary of the Graces and Blessings consequent out of Bishop Taylor 56. A Concluding Admonition to all persons concern'd not to disgrace so well grounded Principles by an unsuitable Practice enforced from Mr. Hooker 58. Dr. Jackson Dr. Hammond and Dr. Henchman 59. Contents of the Appendix T C's Objections against Confirmation 61. Mr. Hooker's Answer to the same 62. A Translation of some admirable Passages out of Dr. Hammond De Confirmatione 65. An useful Description of Confirmation from all the Premisses 68. Contents of the Sermon Annexed Of the First Plantation of the Church of Antioch 72. St. Barnabas sent thither from Jerusalem to Confirm ibid. How he was affected with Joy at the sight of their hopeful Beginnings 73. How he endeavor'd to encourage and hearten them to an answerable Perseverance ibid. Of coming and cleaving unto Christ in the Scripture Sence 76. Of that purpose of Heart wherewith it is to be done 82. Including a Personal Resolution of Soul ibid. Sincere Resolution of Soul 87. Deliberate Resolution of Soul 90. Free Resolution of Soul 95. Firm Resolution of Soul 98. Zealo us Resolution of soul. 100. Humble Resolution of Soul 101. General Motive and Exhortations to inforce this Exhortation 103. FINIS