Selected quad for the lemma: master_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
master_n	church_n	follow_v	zealous_a	23	3	8.4486	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39756	The fulfilling of the Scripture, or, An essay shewing the exact accomplishment of the Word of God in his works of providence, performed and to be performed for confirming the beleevers and convincing the atheists of the present time : containing in the end a few rare histories of the works and servants of God in the Church of Scotland.	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.	1669 (1669)	Wing F1265; ESTC R27365	219,887	314

Prelacy was further established was by him penned and out of his own hand given to the Earle of Dumbar subscribed by many Ministers of the Church who were then there on that account His life was most examplary for piety and faithfulnes in serving his Master which did preach no lesse to that part of the countrey wherein he lived then his doctrine one very remarkable passage of his life I do here adventure to set down having very satisfying grounds as to the certainty of it from these who knew the same and had a particular relation of all its circumstances from a grave Christian who had it out of his own mouth and likewise hath it written under old Mr Row of Car●ocks hand who was his familiar intimat friend it is this His Wife Martha Barron a gracious woman the wife of his youth with whom he had lived in great love fell sick which proved her last sicknes where she was first sore assaulted by the Devil who pressed in upon her that she should be given over to his hand and after it did resolve in a visible distraction which for a time grew upon her so that most unlike to her former way she would have broke forth with dreadfull and horrid expressions it did most appear on a Sabbath morning whilest Mr Simps●n was going to preach and wh●●gst for a time he was forced with a heavy countenance to stand silent he at last kneeled down and prayed which she did no wayes regard but a little after he turning to the company that were present told them he was sure that these who now were witnesses of that sad houre should yet see a gracious work of God on this his Servant and that the Devils malice against that poor woman should have a shameful ●oil her distraction did still continue until the Tuesday which was the 9 of August which morning at the very dawning of it he gooth to his garden and shut the doore behinde him where for many houres he was alone but a godly woman who that night was with his wise Hel●● Garner wi●e to one of the Bailyes of Stirling being apprehensive of his hazard through his grief and fasting could have no rest till she knew his cafe and by some help climbed up and wan in to the garden but on a near approach to that place where Mr S●mps●● then was she was terrified with an extraordinary noise which through fear made her fall to the ground it seemed as she related after to others it was like the noise of a great rushing of multitudes together and therewith such a melodious sound as did make her know it was something more then humane and turned to player entreating the Lord would pardon her rashnes which affection to his Servant who had been the instrument of her good had carried her to and after going forward finds him lying upon the ground it was with much entreaty that he did then reveal himselfe in that particular until she promised clossenes not to speak it to others so long as he lived but had his allowance if she should ●urvive him which promise she keept but after his death did relate it to these from whom I have had this he said O what am I being dust and ashes that the holy Ministring spirits should be sent by the Lord to deliver a message to me and shewed he had a vilion of Angels who did with an audible voice give him an answer from the Lord of his wifes condition and coming over to his house he said to all who were present be of good comfort for ere 10 houres of this day I am sure that brand shall be plucked out of the fire after which he went to prayer at his wifes bedside where for a time she la● quiet but whilest he mentioned Iacobs wrestling in prayer she ●its straight up in the bed casting aside the courtain and sayeth Thou art this day Iacob who hast wrestled and also prevailed and nou God hath made good his words which he spake this morning to you for I am plucked out of the hands of Satan and he shall have no power over me Which interruption made him for a space silent but after with great melting of heart proceeded in prayer and magnified the riches of Gods love towards him and after prayer there was sweet and Christian embracements betwixt them yea from that houre she did speak most Christianly and comfortably even to her death which was on the Friday following August 13. 1601 whose last words in the moment of her departure was with a loud voice Come Lord in thy hands I commend my spirit After this Mr S●mpson lived several yeares fervent and faithful in the work of the Lord and one who in privat walk witnessed such mortification that all who knew him might clearly see his converse was little in the World in March 1618. he sayd now shall this moneth put an end to all these things and accordingly towards the close of it was removed by death at which time he expressed much joy blessing the Lord for his kindnes that he had not been perverted by the sinful courses of these times and might say as the Lord fed Elijah in the wildernes so in some respect he had dealt with him all his life time and having these words upon some of his bookes written Rememmember O my soul and never forget the 9 of August what consolation the Lord gave thee and how he performed ●hat ●● spoke according to Za●h 3 ver 2. it not th●● a brand plu●k●● out of the fire upon which some of his friends speaking ●● him anent the same his answer was Absit miht 〈◊〉 ●● aliquo nisi in Domino Deo meo Now besides these great men many others who at that time did shine as lights in the Church may be here also mentioned who were indeed stars of the first magnitude eminently zealous and faithful and their Ministry followed with much of the power and authority of God such as Mr Andrew Mel●●ne of whom it might be said he had the face of a lyon in his masters cause and feared not to speak before Princes and great men when the truth called for it likewise his nevoy Mr Iames Melvine that holy grave and prudent Servant of Christ Mr. Andrew Dunkan Mr Iohn Scringer Mr Chartes Fere●●● Mr. Iames Balfure c. One passage I shall here ●et down worthy of a remark of Mr Andrew Melvine who being prisoner in the Tower a Gentleman of his acquaintance got accesse to visit him but found him in a sad and deep muse anent the defection of many Ministers in Scotland and did deplore the state of the Church there having lately got an account of their way at that assembly at Glasgow 1610. where the Earle of Dumbar had been active to corrupt divers with money this Gentleman desiring to know what word he had for his own countrey got no answer but upon a second enquiry he said I have no word to send

sacrifice of the Lord be abhorred then some of these who should be the falt of the earth yea none more obstruct the treaty of the Gospel betwixt Christ and his Church then Ministers who are called the friends of the bridgroom Oh what a strange and astonishing contradiction may this seem but it should be no reproach to that holy and excellent calling of the Ministry for of such the Scripture hath expresly warned I confesse it may be said no Atheist like an unsanctified Minister yea no Atheisme of so black a dye as theirs who being still enured with holy things have yet no sense thereof Now in this very dark houre wherein the Church seemeth to have fallen in a death like pang and oh many of her Children in a sad l●thargie that if we looked in an ordinary way her wound might seem incureable there are a great and concerning Quaeries that I think should much take us up The one is to know what the Scripture speaketh to the Church what solid ground of encouragement is there held forth for truely if we had not that sure testimony of the Word we might fear Religion should quite wear out and truth perish from the earth but doth the Scripture speak peace all then is well that O that is sufficient security to put the Churches hope beyond further debate though men should threaten though the earth were overturned and the foundation shaken this is a determination above men above all the rules of humane policy yea above the stars which frustrateth the tokens of the liars and maketh diviners mad even that revealed Counsel of God taking place anent his work and People I knw some grave writers of these late times doe expresse their fear that the horrid wickednesse apostacy of the Gentile Church may at last resolve in the Lords departure and an universal darknes that as the rejection of the Jewes made way for the Gentiles incoming so their fall may as remarkably preceede that solemn return and restauration of the Jewish Church it is also become the fear of many that Popery may yet once overrun the whole Reformed Churches before Antichrist fall but since these sad thoughts nor any appearances of the time are no part of our Bible we should learn neither to stretch our fears nor expectations beyond that which the Scripture warranteth and if the Lord be God and this his very word let us adhere to it and wait for its accomplishment A 2. Quaere which is ndeed no lesse concerning in such a time may be anent Duety what so imminent an liazard of the Church and this great decay of Christianity doth most pressingly call for but this is a subject which requireth another pen and too large to touch with a passing word yea we may say the great want of these dayes is not anent the discovery of duety but of the practice of known and discovered duetyes for the Scripture giveth a certain and distinct sound in the darkest time and hath not left us to doubtful inquiries and debate in this matter I shall therefore leave it with a few things onely to be in the general considered 1. It is sure that every time hath its present duety and the wise discerners thereof will knw thence what they ought to do what work and service the present circumstances of that time cals for shall the earth have its seasons wherein things are beautiful shall the stork and swallow know their time and yet Christians not know how to bring forth fruit in their season and discern the special time and opportunity of duety 2. It is also sure that every Christian in whatsoever capacity or condition as he hath his measure and talent so hath some work and opportunity of duety wherein they may serve the Lord in their generation yea it is not the meanest lot or condition that shutteth that door upon any that they have no work for God who desire to be faithful for him Oh that in this threatning time when darknes is like to overspread the Church it were more upon the heart of Christians to strive together and contend by a serious improvement of their several capacities to preserve Religion and transmit the knowledge of Jesus Christ to the posterity that the Christian parent or Master of family did witnes more that great resolution in a time when many are drawing back but as for me I and my house will serve the Lord. 3. It is found that the most eminent and honourable service of the Church doth usually tryst her in a low and suffering condition when there hath been but little strength many outward disadvantages then both their call and furniture hath been most observable to confesse the truth to endure for the Gospel of Christ to overcome by the Word of his testimony a piece of service whereto more prosperous times doe not give such an opportunity yea it hath been in such a case Dan. 11 32. that these who knew their God were made strong to do exploits 4. It doth much concern us to put a high value on the truth in a time when men must either lose it or buy it and O what a choise purchase is that which cannot be bought too dear though at the rate of our liberty estate credit and reputation yea with the losse of peace when it cometh in competition with it For it is that great depositum o●ce d●livered to the Saints the inheritance of our Children that way whereby Jesus Christ keep●th intercourse with his Bride on the earth yea the charter of all our mercyes and of our hope through eternity 5. Though every line of di●ine t●uth is inestimable yet it is sure there is a more pressing ca●l for our adherence to that truth which is most controverted in the time for it is the word of his patience and the matter of our present testimony and it is known through all ages what a singular bl●ssing hath followed the contending and witnessing of a few for the truth in a spait of publick defection to keep it alive when it was like to be swallowed up yea to effects above rational beliefe unus Athanasius contratotum orbem many such remarks have not been wanting 6. I shall only adde that which is alwayes necessary and binding yet we may say in a time of the Churches hazard and suffering is more pressingly called for even the study of Christian prudence a duety convincingly necessary for regulating of duetyes according to the circumstances of the Churches case which doth so nearly concern the interest and preservation of Religion that I must say a breach in that concord betwixt zeal and Christian prudence when there is not some equal respect studyed in the exercise of both cannot but give the Church a sore wound this is indeeda large theam but I shall onely point at in 3 things 1. In our avoiding and being tender to give offence not only to keep a distance from evil but from the smallest appearance thereof I must