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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n church_n rule_n scripture_n 3,053 5 6.0044 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A29662 The durable legacy by H.B. ... Brooke, Humphrey, 1617-1693. 1681 (1681) Wing B4904; ESTC R7036 134,765 256

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light_n which_o god_n out_o of_o his_o great_a good_a will_n to_o man_n have_v give_v we_o for_o revival_n and_o recovery_n of_o the_o other_o i_o mean_v that_o of_o the_o scripture_n concern_v which_o i_o will_v have_v thou_o my_o son_n observe_v these_o follow_a particular_n of_o the_o scripture_n 1._o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o they_o for_o beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o best_a direction_n for_o the_o guidance_n of_o thy_o action_n thou_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o also_o the_o treasure_n of_o life_n all_o that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o communicate_v to_o man_n concern_v his_o future_a estate_n in_o both_o these_o particular_n thou_o ought_v high_o to_o esteem_v they_o as_o to_o the_o first_o if_o all_o that_o have_v be_v write_v by_o the_o sage_n and_o philosopher_n of_o any_o nation_n in_o any_o or_o all_o the_o age_n of_o humane_a life_n if_o all_o gloss_n comment_n lecture_n sermon_n polemical_a discourse_n or_o other_o treatise_n upon_o the_o scripture_n be_v whole_o and_o irrecoverable_o lose_v thou_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o afflict_v thyself_o but_o rather_o to_o be_v comfort_v in_o the_o consideration_n that_o thy_o mind_n shall_v not_o now_o be_v distract_v by_o the_o various_a opinion_n impose_v authority_n and_o numerous_a contradiction_n of_o other_o but_o come_v to_o this_o fountain_n of_o knowledge_n with_o a_o pure_a and_o unpossessed_a heart_n not_o biased_a or_o prejudicate_v by_o the_o interest_n wit_n ability_n or_o fallacy_n of_o other_o and_o receive_v in_o wholesome_a and_o sound_a precept_n agreeable_a to_o original_a and_o unpervert_v nature_n to_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n comfortable_a to_o thy_o own_o soul_n and_o beneficial_a to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n 2._o though_o the_o whole_a and_o every_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v to_o be_v of_o great_a esteem_n and_o authority_n with_o thou_o yet_o do_v the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n the_o register_n of_o his_o 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sincerity_n since_o those_o dissent_n be_v not_o a_o
no_o eye_n to_o punishment_n but_o flow_v from_o the_o heart_n as_o the_o sun_n ray_n do_v from_o its_o own_o fountain_n of_o light_n do_v not_o the_o best_a parent_n esteem_v those_o child_n most_o who_o love_v they_o true_a and_o who_o obedience_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o that_o love_n and_o we_o reckon_v it_o somewhat_o a_o sign_n of_o a_o bad_a disposition_n to_o be_v good_a only_o from_o fear_n of_o the_o rod_n strive_v therefore_o my_o son_n as_o the_o most_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n ever_o and_o true_o to_o love_v he_o to_o love_v his_o command_n as_o pleasant_a in_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o choose_v by_o god_n to_o be_v his_o command_n for_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v good_a for_o they_o to_o who_o he_o give_v it_o and_o delightful_a too_o be_v it_o not_o for_o reluctancy_n beget_v in_o we_o either_o by_o the_o perversion_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o impediment_n which_o the_o deprave_a world_n put_v upon_o it_o of_o read_v meditate_v and_o go_v to_o church_n though_o read_v of_o good_a book_n and_o go_v to_o church_n frequent_a discourse_n with_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n meditation_n with_o thyself_o be_v very_o good_a mean_n of_o acquire_v and_o improve_n thy_o knowledge_n yet_o these_o thing_n thou_o must_v not_o make_v thy_o end_n but_o the_o mean_v rather_o for_o the_o better_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o end_n the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o thou_o take_v pain_n in_o all_o these_o particular_n be_v to_o lead_v a_o honest_a and_o good_a life_n well_o please_v to_o god_n just_a and_o regardful_a to_o thy_o neighbour_n and_o thyself_o never_o therefore_o go_v to_o church_n mere_o for_o show_v nor_o take_v upon_o thou_o the_o semblance_n of_o that_o which_o man_n call_v religion_n for_o thy_o profit_n it_o will_v denote_v thou_o a_o hypocrite_n the_o worst_a and_o most_o contemptible_a sort_n of_o man_n odious_a to_o god_n to_o those_o who_o be_v good_a and_o in_o time_n to_o thyself_o it_o debase_v religion_n and_o make_v it_o serve_v the_o vile_a purpose_n whatever_o the_o profession_n of_o man_n be_v and_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o show_n of_o sanctity_n from_o the_o constancy_n of_o go_v to_o church_n and_o the_o frequency_n of_o private_a exercise_n yet_o must_v not_o these_o thing_n denote_v they_o true_a christian_n unless_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_o in_o their_o avoid_n of_o the_o most_o note_a vice_n as_o whoredom_n drunkenness_n profaneness_n etc._n etc._n but_o also_o in_o forbear_v and_o detest_a the_o less_o note_v and_o more_o injurious_a crime_n of_o oppression_n extortion_n covetousness_n hard_a and_o unjust_a deal_n high_a mindedness_n and_o overween_n of_o themselves_o severe_a censure_v of_o other_o hardheartedness_n want_v of_o charity_n and_o natural_a affection_n which_o be_v crime_n i_o say_v more_o destructive_a to_o mankind_n and_o in_o my_o opinion_n not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o excuse_v the_o other_o much_o more_o hateful_a to_o god_n whatsoever_o therefore_o thou_o take_v up_o of_o public_a or_o private_a duty_n as_o it_o be_v call_v exercise_v it_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n but_o let_v thy_o acquisition_n of_o knowledge_n be_v always_o in_o order_n to_o the_o better_n thy_o life_n not_o for_o vainglory_n or_o to_o be_v esteem_v better_a than_o thy_o neighbour_n if_o thy_o business_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o physic_n the_o exercise_n of_o trade_n or_o whatever_o employment_n else_o let_v i_o forewarn_v thou_o that_o thou_o take_v not_o up_o any_o mode_n of_o religion_n in_o order_n to_o the_o improvement_n of_o thy_o employment_n but_o let_v that_o depend_v whole_o on_o thy_o painful_a endeavour_n to_o acquire_v a_o valuable_a ability_n in_o thy_o profession_n and_o in_o a_o just_a and_o conscientious_a discharge_n of_o the_o same_o of_o pray_v to_o god_n beside_o hear_v concern_v which_o the_o former_a paragraph_n be_v chief_o mean_v there_o be_v two_o other_o particular_n in_o which_o our_o application_n to_o god_n almighty_a chief_o consist_v and_o they_o be_v praise_v of_o god_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n concern_v each_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v advise_v thou_o and_o first_o of_o pray_v to_o god_n conceive_v that_o prayer_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o serious_a and_o premeditate_a application_n to_o his_o divine_a majesty_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o something_o that_o we_o want_v or_o the_o continuance_n of_o what_o we_o enjoy_v or_o the_o avert_n some_o evil_n we_o have_v deserve_v here_o we_o be_v well_o to_o consider_v who_o it_o be_v to_o who_o we_o apply_v ourselves_o that_o the_o great_a king_n nay_o be_v there_o a_o universal_a monarch_n of_o this_o earthly_a globe_n to_o who_o all_o king_n bow_v he_o be_v as_o nothing_o not_o so_o much_o in_o dignity_n as_o a_o mote_n in_o the_o sun_n compare_v to_o the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n to_o who_o notwithstanding_o man_n every_o day_n make_v hasty_a irreverent_a and_o trivial_a application_n o_o my_o son_n this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o mighty_a weight_n and_o therefore_o whensoever_o thou_o make_v thy_o address_n to_o god_n do_v it_o with_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o follow_a particular_n 1._o let_v thy_o prayer_n be_v for_o what_o thou_o want_v or_o for_o the_o continuance_n of_o what_o thou_o have_v just_a cause_n to_o fear_n he_o will_v take_v from_o thou_o or_o avert_v of_o some_o deserve_a punishment_n 2._o let_v it_o not_o be_v hasty_o or_o unadvised_o express_v nor_o mix_v with_o numerous_a and_o impertinent_a particular_n but_o proportion_v to_o the_o quality_n and_o extent_n of_o thy_o want_n in_o which_o the_o need_n itself_o must_v guide_v thou_o 3._o avoid_v tautology_n and_o vain_a repetition_n which_o imply_v affectation_n in_o prayer_n and_o disrespect_n to_o he_o thou_o addresse_v to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v long_o in_o fix_v their_o heart_n in_o a_o fit_a posture_n for_o prayer_n than_o in_o prayer_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o we_o find_v among_o they_o no_o prayer_n of_o length_n but_o only_o private_a ejaculation_n and_o the_o short_a form_n that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v set_v we_o 4._o take_v heed_n that_o thou_o never_o make_v prayer_n a_o opus_fw-la operatum_fw-la a_o work_n do_v end_v in_o itself_o a_o form_n of_o word_n speak_v like_o a_o parrot_n without_o premeditation_n and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o from_o the_o impulse_n and_o urgency_n of_o thy_o want_n 5._o pray_v not_o with_o doubt_v but_o have_v those_o just_a and_o become_a thought_n of_o god_n that_o since_o he_o have_v permit_v thou_o to_o pray_v he_o will_v certain_o grant_v thy_o request_n if_o thou_o pray_v as_o thou_o ought_v that_o be_v not_o in_o formality_n not_o out_o of_o course_n and_o custom_n not_o to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n but_o because_o thou_o be_v the_o submissive_a son_n of_o a_o gracious_a father_n always_o ready_a to_o hear_v and_o infinite_o able_a to_o accomplish_v whatsoever_o his_o obedient_a child_n shall_v request_v of_o he_o if_o therefore_o we_o miss_v of_o what_o we_o desire_v we_o must_v impute_v it_o not_o to_o god_n unwillingness_n to_o hear_v but_o to_o some_o great_a defect_n in_o ourselves_o for_o want_v whereof_o our_o prayer_n just_o become_v ineffectual_a 6._o consider_v likewise_o that_o prayer_n seem_v to_o be_v rather_o a_o privilege_n than_o a_o duty_n a_o gracious_a concession_n to_o we_o that_o when_o we_o be_v in_o strait_n and_o difficulty_n in_o terror_n and_o disquiet_n of_o mind_n or_o bodily_a want_n or_o affliction_n we_o have_v the_o freedom_n allow_v we_o yea_o and_o a_o fatherly_a invitation_n to_o make_v our_o application_n to_o god_n for_o relief_n it_o be_v well_o please_v indeed_o to_o god_n that_o those_o who_o be_v good_a and_o lead_v their_o life_n in_o a_o careful_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n do_v make_v their_o application_n to_o his_o majesty_n in_o their_o distress_n but_o the_o profit_n redound_v to_o ourselves_o and_o it_o be_v then_o god_n special_a time_n to_o assist_v his_o child_n when_o they_o can_v find_v no_o other_o way_n of_o relief_n 7._o last_o let_v the_o ground_n of_o thy_o hope_n in_o obtain_v thy_o desire_n be_v chief_o the_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o his_o promise_n to_o hear_v those_o who_o pray_v in_o faith_n and_o as_o they_o ought_v but_o withal_o think_v not_o that_o thy_o honest_a and_o good_a life_n be_v not_o necessary_a for_o obtain_v thy_o suit_n a_o debauch_a and_o lewd_a son_n have_v little_a encouragement_n to_o expect_v that_o his_o father_n shall_v give_v he_o what_o he_o desire_v whilst_o he_o continue_v in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o lewdness_n and_o though_o god_n be_v full_a of_o mercy_n take_v delight_n in_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o yet_o be_v it_o to_o the_o good_a and_o penitent_a not_o to_o the_o obstinate_a and_o contemptuous_a
and_o people_n in_o the_o first_o for_o be_v misleader_n and_o in_o the_o second_o for_o be_v mislead_v from_o act_n of_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n to_o rest_v themselves_o and_o rely_v upon_o external_a rite_n of_o sacrifice_v observation_n of_o time_n new_a moon_n sabbath_n formal_a fast_n and_o other_o observance_n without_o design_v the_o purification_n of_o the_o heart_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n and_o uncleanness_n which_o complaint_n and_o accusation_n of_o the_o say_a prophet_n be_v smart_o second_v by_o the_o world_n great_a reformer_n our_o ever_o bless_a saviour_n still_v those_o who_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o such_o outward_a performance_n esteem_v the_o most_o religious_a but_o paint_a wall_n and_o sepulcher_n outward_o specious_a but_o inward_o full_a of_o rottenness_n and_o corruption_n yea_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o cruelty_n and_o severity_n in_o exact_v those_o performance_n and_o exercise_v act_n of_o pride_n and_o injustice_n towards_o those_o who_o be_v real_o good_a a_o generation_n of_o viper_n in_o this_o kind_a the_o gentile_a priest_n be_v high_o guilty_a as_o have_v appear_v in_o all_o country_n and_o most_o remarkable_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n who_o temple_n dedicate_v to_o various_a deity_n as_o they_o false_o call_v they_o be_v almost_o infinite_a who_o ceremony_n be_v numerous_a and_o exceed_o burdensome_a invent_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o state_n take_v up_o a_o very_a considerable_a part_n of_o the_o people_n time_n and_o draw_v from_o they_o no_o inconsiderable_a proportion_n of_o their_o substance_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o remarkable_a and_o much_o more_o to_o be_v abhor_v be_v that_o upon_o the_o plain_a and_o innocent_a basis_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n institute_v by_o he_o who_o think_v fit_a to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o son_n of_o a_o carpenter_n and_o propagate_v by_o man_n of_o mean_a profession_n and_o common_a yea_o for_o the_o most_o part_n unlearned_a education_n and_o this_o do_v on_o purpose_n that_o the_o religion_n commend_v to_o the_o world_n may_v have_v no_o gloss_n or_o esteem_n from_o its_o external_a grandeur_n which_o god_n can_v easy_o have_v furnish_v it_o withal_o that_o i_o say_v which_o be_v most_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v that_o upon_o this_o plain_a and_o innocent_a basis_n have_v be_v erect_v a_o superstructure_n of_o quite_o different_a quality_n and_o condition_n namely_o a_o stately_a scene_n of_o external_a pomp_n and_o splendour_n the_o representation_n whereof_o and_o its_o discordancy_n from_o the_o original_a both_o institution_n and_o founder_n be_v visible_a to_o all_o eye_n but_o those_o who_o will_v not_o see_v though_o matter_n appear_v never_o so_o conspicuous_a the_o seem_a excuse_n to_o this_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o a_o church_n in_o its_o infancy_n shall_v be_v of_o equal_a accomplishment_n with_o what_o in_o process_n of_o time_n and_o by_o the_o endeavour_n of_o learned_a man_n it_o may_v be_v raise_v to_o all_o thing_n have_v their_o season_n their_o period_n of_o growth_n and_o augmentation_n and_o as_o long_o as_o nothing_o be_v alter_v in_o the_o substance_n and_o essential_o of_o religion_n no_o fault_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o circumstantial_a addition_n which_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o apostle_n successor_n have_v be_v invent_v as_o ornament_n and_o decency_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o religious_a duty_n and_o help_v to_o the_o people_n devotion_n to_o this_o so_o specious_a a_o justification_n of_o what_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n for_o in_o the_o original_a charter_n which_o be_v the_o good_a word_n of_o god_n it_o may_v not_o unfit_o be_v reply_v 1._o that_o the_o child_n of_o this_o world_n be_v in_o their_o generation_n wise_a than_o the_o child_n of_o light_n how_o wise_a not_o with_o true_a wisdom_n which_o be_v ever_o attend_v with_o truth_n and_o goodness_n but_o with_o that_o which_o be_v worldly_a crafty_a they_o be_v and_o cunning_a to_o do_v thing_n for_o their_o own_o advantage_n though_o with_o show_n of_o honour_n to_o god_n and_o good_a to_o man_n can_v we_o think_v that_o god_n be_v deficient_a in_o wisdom_n and_o so_o short_a and_o weak_a in_o his_o establishment_n as_o to_o need_v the_o additional_a assistance_n of_o man_n we_o must_v not_o suppose_v it_o his_o institution_n be_v at_o first_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a and_o whatsoever_o be_v superad_v be_v of_o a_o different_a piece_n and_o though_o glorious_a in_o show_n it_o be_v false_a coin_n dishonourable_a to_o the_o first_o institutor_n though_o specious_a and_o profitable_a to_o the_o worldly_a inventor_n 2._o that_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o church_n infancy_n need_v growth_n and_o augmentation_n from_o man_n wisdom_n be_v a_o gross_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o with_o art_n and_o science_n these_o indeed_o be_v humane_a invention_n be_v capable_a of_o large_a addition_n because_o the_o first_o beginning_n be_v the_o product_n of_o weak_a man_n can_v not_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v in_o their_o perfection_n but_o the_o institution_n of_o christian_a religion_n flow_v from_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o radiation_n of_o the_o bless_a spirit_n be_v in_o their_o first_o establishment_n pure_a and_o perfect_a if_o almighty_a god_n have_v judge_v those_o circumstantial_o as_o we_o call_v they_o necessary_a what_o hinder_v but_o that_o at_o first_o he_o have_v establish_v they_o but_o in_o that_o he_o do_v not_o but_o decline_v they_o as_o we_o may_v well_o suppose_v upon_o great_a and_o weighty_a consideration_n it_o may_v well_o be_v conclude_v that_o he_o judge_v they_o altogether_o against_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n and_o opposite_a to_o his_o main_a end_n which_o be_v that_o man_n shall_v be_v most_o see_v in_o sincere_a action_n of_o piety_n truth_n mercy_n justice_n and_o all_o other_o real_a act_n of_o righteousness_n without_o the_o formal_a impediment_n of_o ceremonious_a devotion_n 3._o and_o last_o the_o invent_a ceremony_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v help_n to_o devotion_n that_o they_o be_v indeed_o diversion_n from_o it_o so_o certain_o god_n almighty_a in_o all_o former_a age_n find_v and_o his_o prophet_n so_o complain_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o our_o good_a saviour_n leave_v they_o whole_o out_o in_o his_o two_o institution_n of_o baptism_n and_o his_o appoint_a supper_n enjoin_v we_o only_o these_o two_o plain_a and_o familiar_a action_n of_o wash_v and_o eat_v together_o the_o one_o as_o a_o token_n of_o our_o engage_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o a_o renunciation_n of_o all_o other_o and_o the_o other_o to_o preserve_v in_o our_o memory_n the_o great_a benefit_n that_o mankind_n can_v receive_v from_o the_o son_n of_o god_n namely_o his_o offering_n himself_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o their_o transgression_n and_o of_o these_o i_o be_o now_o particular_o to_o speak_v of_o baptism_n it_o be_v judge_v expedient_a that_o they_o who_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v by_o some_o public_a way_n manifest_v their_o desire_n of_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n the_o establisher_n thereof_o which_o be_v in_o submission_n to_o the_o easy_a but_o most_o significant_a action_n of_o be_v wash_v with_o water_n before_o which_o there_o ought_v to_o precede_v a_o belief_n and_o acknowledgement_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o true_a messiah_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n as_o also_o a_o renunciation_n of_o all_o other_o religion_n both_o jewish_a and_o gentile_n a_o steady_a repentance_n and_o sorrow_n for_o evil_a life_n past_a and_o a_o resolution_n for_o the_o future_a to_o become_v a_o new_a man_n and_o to_o observe_v careful_o all_o the_o rule_n and_o precept_n leave_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o hope_n and_o assurance_n of_o be_v receive_v after_o this_o life_n into_o the_o society_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o bless_a in_o heaven_n what_o more_o easy_a way_n of_o induction_n can_v be_v contrive_v than_o that_o of_o wash_v which_o among_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o custom_n very_o familiar_a upon_o far_o lesser_a occasion_n and_o not_o unfrequent_v also_o among_o the_o gentile_n it_o be_v what_o john_n before_o have_v introduce_v who_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o baptist_n and_o which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v submit_v to_o not_o in_o way_n of_o penitence_n or_o for_o remission_n of_o sin_n for_o he_o be_v without_o sin_n as_o st._n peter_n testify_v of_o he_o 1_o pet._n 2.22_o not_o that_o by_o the_o contact_n of_o the_o water_n with_o his_o pure_a and_o immaculate_a body_n he_o may_v sanctify_v they_o and_o endow_v they_o with_o a_o regenerative_a power_n and_o virtue_n as_o jacobus_n de_fw-fr vitriaco_n with_o other_o have_v but_o guess_o and_o without_o ground_n imagine_v nor_o yet_o that_o by_o