Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	good_a	lord_n	people_n	4,014	5	4.8063	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62465	The saints great duty in time of the dangerous afflictions, persecutions, and oppressions, they may meet with in the troublesome and tempestuous sea of this world, either by spiritual or temporal enemies. Preached in a farewel-sermon by Mr. George Thorne, of Weymouth in Dorset-shire. From Psal. 37. 34. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way. Published by a friend.	Thorne, George, of Weymouth.	1664 (1664)	Wing T1057B; ESTC R220883	31,965	67

Master-but backs his denyal with an Oath yea being among a cursing crew that should seem would not believe him else he falls a cursing and swearing that he knew not the man Mat. 26.74 2. By sinful shifting or shuffling through Lyes or deceitful Equivocations to avoid the mischief intended This was the way that Abraham took to escape the mischief that he thought at one time the Men of Gerar might do to him Gen. 20. and that the Egyptians might do to him at another time for his wives sake wherein though Abraham did not tell a down-right untruth as he excuseth the matter to Abimilech yet he did sinfully shuffle in making use of a deceitful Equivocation for his safety 3. By angrily and revengfully rendring Evil for Evil thereby thinking to pay the wicked in his own Coyn and to avenge a mans own quarrel This was the course that David was about to take against Nabal had he not been prevented by Abigaeles wisdom 1 Sam. 25.33 4. By basely deserting the Place that the Lord hath put a man in and requires him to abide in This was that which Shemaiah would have out Nehemiah upon but he refused to hearken to him in Neh. 6.10.11 not but that a man may forsake his place not only of habitation but also o● publick station and employment in some cases when that the Lord calls him off but this is no base deserting Base deserting is when out of cowardliness and base fear a man withdraws himself from his place in which and at that time when the Lord requires him to abide that he may provide for his own safety This was the way Moses would have taken when the Lord was sending him to deliver his People had the Lord left him to himself as you may see at last in the 3d. and 4th Chapters of the Book of Exodu● 5. By rebelliously and traiterously stepping out of the place that God hath set a man in This was that way they tempted David unto in 1 Sam. 24.4 and which Abishai would have taken had not David hindered him 1 Sam. 26.9 Now none of these ways are just and honest being all of them contrary to the Command and a departing from God to the Creature as I shall clear particularly First That sinfully to comply with the wicked to abate the edge of their wrath is contrary to the Command is clear from these Scriptures Eph. 5.7 Be ye not therefore partakers with them that is with the Wicked with the Children of disobedience Now one way of partaking with them is by sinful compliance hence vers 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works o darkness have you no hand do not you bear a part be not drawn in to comply in these things To this purpose is that Rom. 12.2 Be not conformed to this World Nonconformity to this World is a Christians duty Secondly That sinfully to shift and shuffle through Lyes and deceitful Equivocations to provide for ones safety is contrary to the Command of God clear is that Gen. 20.9 where Abimilech reproving Abraham for his practice tells him Thou hast done things to me that ought not to be done Thirdly That to render evil for evil and to avenge our selves is against the Command of God clear is that Prov. 20.21 Say not thou I will recompence evil but wait on the Lord and he shall save thee 1 Thess 5.15 See that none render evil for evil to any man Rom. 12.17 Recompence to no man evil for evil and 19. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves Fourthly That basely to desert the place that God hath put a man in is against the Command of God clear is that 1 Cor. 7.24 Brethren let every one wherein he is called therein abide with God and as in the condition wherein so in the place whereunto till God remove him Fifthly That rebelliously to step out of a mans place is against the Command of God is clear from Eccles 10.4 If the spirit of thy Ruler rise up against thee leave not thy place for yielding pacifieth great offences Subjects are here directed how to carry themselves when that the spirit of the Ruler rises up against them the counsel that the Spirit here gives is That they keep their place not in a way of rebellious opposition but in way of yielding subjection leave not thy place as a subject contain thy self within the bounds of thine own calling and condition bridling all disloyal passions and forbearing all unlawful attempts to ward off the wrath of the Ruler he speaketh not against a prudent withdrawing from a storm as David from Saul Elias from Ahab and Christ from Herod but against a disloyal and rebellious defection as Israel to their Tents 1 Kings 12.16 So that whatever the provocations be that the Rulers give Subjects must submit themselves by yielding active obedience in all things which they command according to God and by patiently enduring what they inflict on us though for righteousness sake keeping our selves in the some humble obedient and loyal temper whatever provocations we meet with to the contrary And that in all these wayes there is a departing from God to the Creature arising from a distrust of his All-sufficiency to provide for us in his way and from a conceit of our own wisdom to provide better for our safety is most manifest therefore these ways being contrary to the Command of God and in●urious to his All-sufficiency are not just and honest but to wait on the Lord and to keep his way this is the good the right and the honest Way See 1 Sam. 12.23 where he tels them that he will shew them the good and the right way and what that is he acquaints them in the next verse Only fear the Lord and serve him in Truth with all your heart which is to the same purpose with wait on the Lord and keep his way that is the honest and good Way in which the Lord commandeth his People to walk 2 Chron. 6.27 His Commandments being holy just and good Rom. 7.12 The way of his Commandments must needs be good just and honest yea and his Commandments being the Rule the goodness of a way lyes in its conformity thereunto and this is the way that is agreeable to the Command of God as in the Text. 2. This is the wisest Way When a man hath many wise subtile and powerful enemies watching to mischieve him he had need behave himself wisely Hence when our Saviour sends forth his Disciples as Sheep among Wolves Mat. 10.16 he sayes to them Be wise as Serpents and innocent as Doves he adviseth them to look to the wisest as well as the honestest way Now however carnal men do think some one of the forementioned wayes to be the wisest yet it will be apparent that to wait on the Lord and keep his Way is the wisest course by these two arguments First It is the way which the truest and highest VVisdom the VVisdom of God doth direct unto So here

hurt thee So he promiseth all his in that Isa 41.10 So that the readiest way to escape the mischief that our enemies design against us is to wait on the Lord and to keep his way whatever carnal wisdom thinks or suggests to the contrary It is true this is the way to be hated and to have many enemies who from their malice and rage will devise and design much mischief against us but Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who shall be against us that is it matters not who they are that are against us This then is the safest way hence Prov. 1.31 Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely I know this seems a Paradox to the men of the World and they think some other wayes to be more safe First Some think that sinful compliance is a safer way but their errour will be manifest to any that duly consider 1. That hereby they do more encourage the wicked World against them whilst they partly comply but will not run into the same excess of riot with them So Lots compliance with the wicked Sodomites in offering them his Daughters did but encourage them the more against him Gen. 19.9 And they said Stand back which words may either refer unto Lot and then they hold forth how they were enraged by his motion or to one another as contending who should fall foul on him first and this agreeth with the following words And they said again This one fellow came in to sojourn and he will needs be a Judge Now will we deal worse with thee than with them and they pressed sore upon the man so far were they from being appealed by his sinful compliance as that they grew the more furious against him 2. Hereby you provoke the Lord to withdraw the Covert of his Protection from you while you wait on the Lord and keep his Way you have the promise of his Protection 2 Chron. 15.2 but if by sinful compliance with the wicked you forsake him he will forsake you you forfeit his protection Had not Jehosaphat's compliance with Ahab like to have cost him his life 2 Chron. 18. and hear what the Prophet sayes to him 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath come upon thee from the Lord And through the wrath of the Lord that is upon men for their sinful compliance those very evils are brought upon them sometimes which they think to escape As notable is that instance which Mr. Fox gives account of on Richard Denton in Queen Mary's dayes who by his sinful compliance with the wicked World in disowning the truth of the Gospel thought to escape burning and was afterwards burnt in his own house according to that of our Saviour He that will save his life shall lose it Mat. 16.25 Secondly Others think that to avenge themselves in paying the wicked in their own Coyn doing mischief unto them is the safest way but their errour will be manifest from that of our Saviour Mat. 26.52 Put up again thy Sword into its place for all they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword This way in which they think to provide for their safety is in the judgement of our Saviour the ready way to their ruine Thirdly Others think by Shuffling Lying Equivocating to provide better for their safety then by keeping the Way of the Lord but however some present security sometimes hath been obtained by such wayes yet in the end they are most pernicious and destructive for us Prov. 19.5 He that speaketh Lyes shall not escape and vers 9. He that speaketh Lyes shall perish And for such as comfort themselves as they Isa 28.25 We have made Lyes our refuge and under Falshood have we hid our selves Mind what the Lord saith to them vers 17. Judgement will I also lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of Lyes and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place and your Covenant with Death shall be dissanulled and your agreement with Hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall passe through then shall you be trodden down by it and then where is your safety they think to secure themselves from the wrath of man but they mind not how to be secured from the wrath of God 4ly Others think by basely deserting their places to provide better for their safety than by following the Lord and keeping his Way But the hazards David was in when he took this course 1 Sam. 27. may convince these men of their mistakē especially if they consider that he that leaves the place God hath set him in out of base fear is sure to carry his fear with him where-ever he go if not in the place he promised himself greatest security to meet with the evil he feared As the Lord threatens them in that Jer. 42.17 Then it shall come to passe that the Sword which ye feared shall overtake you there in the Land of Egypt and the Famine whereof you were affraid shall follow close after you in Egypt and there ye shall dye Fifthly Others think it a safer way rebelliously to step out of their places for the overturning the power of those that are in Authority over them because they grant power to the wicked to oppress and mischief them But had Zimri peace that slew his Master the experience of all Ages testifies how ill they provide for their safety at the long-run who take this course Let that instance suffice which we have in 2 Chron. 25.3 So that whatever men may think there is no such way to escape the mischief intended against us by the wicked as to wait on the Lord keep his Way 2. It will yet further appear to be the safest way for that it is the ready way to have good by all their troubles by all that the wicked do against them Wait on the Lord and keep his Way then no matter though the wicked watch against you to do you a mischief for they shall not only prove abortive in all the mischievous designs they are big with as Job 5.12 but according to his promise all shall work together for good Rom. 8.28 for he that hath promised is infinite in Power Wisdome Goodness and Faithfulness to over-rule all the devices and designs of his and your Enemies so as to make those things that are in their own nature against you to work together for your good As you know what Joseph says in that Gen. 50.20 As for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive Thus doth God over-rule the malice and revenge of men for good to his people but they must then wait on the Lord and keep his Way as you may see Psal 81.8 c. For all the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his

is still as malicious and industrious as ever to put them upon this We read of Satan in that 1 Pet. 5.8 that he goeth up and down like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour and as far as the Lord permits him he acts wicked men in whom he ruleth Eph. 2.2 to do what mischief they can to the Godly yea and in the last times he is so far from abating his rage as that we read his wrath groweth the hotter because he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12.12 While therefore the principle of enmity which is in the wicked against the Saints remaineth and while the ground of their hatred continues and Satan is as industriously stirring them up as ever nought else can be expected but that they watch the righteous to do them a mischief But now wher shall the righteous do shall he render evil for evil and watch the wicked that he may mischieve them God forbid what shall he forsake his righteousnesse and leave off to be godly no in no wise But if ye would know O ye Saints and righteous Ones what to do in this case I am sent of God at this time to instruct you That it will be your best way to wait on she Lord and keep his way And so I come to what is expresly asserted in the point That however it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the Wicked watcheth the righteous to mischieve them 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keepe his way Here I shall speak by way of Explication in shewing 1. What it is to wait on the Lord. 2. What it is to keep his way First To wait on the Lord is taken more largly or more strictly 1. More largly And so it is the same with serving the Lord attending and following the Lord and takes in the whole duty of the Saints waiting on the Lord as a Souldier on his Captain or as a Servant on his Master Psal 123.2 Behold as the eyes of the Servants look to the hands of their Masters and as the eyes of a Maiden unto the hand of her Mistris so our eyes wait on the Lord our God So in that Hos 12.6 Turn thou to thy God and keep Mercy and Judgement and wait on thy God continually 2. More strictly And so it intends a patient expecting the Lords Salvation 'T is the continued exercise of Faith and Hope it is Faith and Hope eekt out So here Vers 7. Rest on the Lord wait patiently So Psal 130. when he cries out of the depths as he sayes Vers 1. then Vers 5. I Wait for the Lord my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning We have both these together in that Lam. 3.25 26. The Lord is good to them that wait for him to the soul that seeketh him There it is taken as largly as seeking after God but it follows It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord there it is taken for the continued exercise of hope for a patient expectation of the Lord's Salvation Secondly What it is to keep the Way of the Lord here mind The way of the Lord may be understood of that way wherein he walketh towards his People which is aptly stil'd the way of his Providence or of that way wherein he requires his People to walk towards him and is properly stiled the way of his Precepts 1. There is the Way of Gods Providence in which he walketh towards us of which that Psal 18.30 speaketh As for God his Way is perfect So Psal 25.10 All the Paths or Wayes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and Testimonies Now if it be thus taken here Then to keepe his Way is diligently to attend his Hand and to observe his Carriage and ordering in all that befalls his People more especially in all that trouble that comes on them For whatever trouble comes upon the People of God and whoever be the instruments of inflicting the Lord hath his way in it Mic. 6.9 ordering it as to the kind as to the measure as to the season as to the continuance as to the ends and fruits Now to observe the Lord's Hand and to attend his Way in ordering his Providences and our troubles this is to keep his Way So Isa 26.8 In the way of thy Judgements we have waited for thee as if he had said We have waited on the Lord and kept his Way 2. There is the way of God's Precepts in which he commandeth his People to walk And thus is this phrase most commonly taken So 2 Kings 21.22 where 't is said of Amon He forsook the Lord God of his Fathers and walked not in the Way of the Lord i.e. not in the Way of his Commandements Thus David spake of the way of his Precepts in Psal 119.27 Make me understand the way of thy Precepts And if it be taken thus then to keep the Way of the Lord is to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them So Gen. 18.19 The Lord testifies of Abraham I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the Way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgement So in Job 23.11 12. My feet have held his steps his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the Commandments of his lips So to walk in his Wayes and to keep his Commandments are the same Deut. 26.17 and Psal 119.1 2. So that the sum of all is However it be with the truly Godly more especially when the wicked do watch them to do them a mischief their best way is to attend on the Lord to follow him to walk on in the ways of his Commandements so eying the hand of the Lord in all that befalls them as they that patiently expect and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. Thus for explication I now come to the Demonstration which shall be dispatcht by clearing That it is the honestest the wisest the safest the most comfortable and most honourable Way First This is the most innocent just and honest Way yea truly this is the only good honest and right Way I am to shew what is the best for a Godly man to whom no way is good but what is just and honest There are indeed other ways which a man may take when he is in trouble through the wickeds watching him to do him a mischief whereby to escape the mischief intended him but they are not just and honest I shall instance in these 1. By sinful complying with the wicked in their ungodly ways thereby to abate the edge of their wrath This was the way Peter took when in the High Priests Hall he not only denyes his

Testimonies When the wicked smite and oppress the people of God they are the Lords Rod Isa 10.5 wherewith he chastiseth his people And that of the Apostle holds in this as well as in other chastisements Heb. 12.10 He for our profit that we might be partakers of his holinesse as also what follows in v. 11. Now no chastisement for the present seemeth joyous but grievous nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of Righteousness to them which are exercised thereby so as that they wait on God in the Way of his Judgments and keep the Way of his Commandments Thus I have cleared it to be the safest Way 3. This is the most honourable Way though it were a safe way yet if it be not an honourable way it is not the best Way That proved a safe way that David took in 1 Sam. 27.1 2 3. but it was a dishonourable way and however under the power of temptations he concludes it best yet afterward he finds by woful experience his mistake It was a safe way that they advised Nehemiah to in Nehem. 6.10 but because it was dishonourable he would not take it vers 11. And he said Should such a man as I fly and who is there being as I am would go into the Temple to save his life I will not go in He would not so dishonour his place To run hazards in an honourable way hath always been more eligible to Spirits truly noble then sneekingly to provide for safety in a base dishonourable way Now the way that is before you is the most honourable way as will appear in these following Particulars First 'T is the way of true valour and courage When the wicked watcheth to mischieve you when the wicked even your Enemies and Foes come upon you to eat up your flesh as Psal 27.2 then to wait on the Lord to stand your ground to follow the Lord to keep his way This is an argument of a brave and gallant Spirit Was it not a proof of a heroick and brave Spirit in Paul when he says to them Acts 21.13 What mean you to weep and to break my heart for I am ready not to be bound only but to dye at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus When men are bold and daring in a wicked way and will resolutely keep on whatever difficulties or opposition they meet with this is not true valour but a mad hardiness and desperate stoutness of spirit But when men are couragious and undaunted in following the Lord stedfastly keeping and walking on in his Way maugre all opposition that Satan and wicked Men make against them this is true valour and gallantry of Spirit Such brave and heroick Spirits were they mentioned Heb. 11.35 36 37. who have this honourable Testimonial of the Lord ver 38. of whom the World was not worthy Persons whereof every one was more worth than a world or too excellent to abide in the world being worthy of better and greater honour than the world could give them 2. 'T is the way by which you shall most victoriously triumph over all your enemies Wait on the Lord and keep his Way and you shall go on conquering and to conquer over Sin Satan the World and Antichrist over all your enemies Through God you shall do valiantly for he it is that shall tread down all your enemies Psal 108.13 For this is the victory that overcometh the world even your Faith 1 John 5.4 Through Faith whereby we wait on God and keep his way we shall overcome the world that is Satan and all his wicked crew with all the instruments of mischief they make use of against us Hence that Rom. 8.37 In all these things we are more than Conquerours through him that loved us And this honour have all they that wait on the Lord and keep his way 3. 'T is the way by which you shall bring most honour to God to the Lord Jesus Christ the Captain of your Salvation That the People of God are imployed in service whereby God is honoured that reflects honour upon them and the more God is honoured the more honour have they that serve him The Queen of Sheba counted Solomon's servants happy who waited continually upon him 1 Kings 10.8 how much more honourable is it to wait on the Lord in that a greater than Solomon is here Now wait on the Lord and keep his way herein you will greatly honour the Lord. As they that dissert and forsake the Lord and his wayes when it comes to any hard service do greatly dishonour him as if there were not enough to be had to make amends for all their hardships they endure So they that follow the Lord and keep his way through sharp oppositions and sufferings they greatly honour him in the world To cleave to the Lord and follow him when all the world are about our ears for his sake to keep his Way when that his way is every where spoken against to continue faithful in his Service when nothing but bonds and persecutions attend us for it this commends his Service and tendeth much to the honour of his Name and Wayes 4. This is the ready way to true Honour As the wise man hath it in that Prov. 27.18 He that waiteth on his master shall be honoured So wait on the Lord and keep his Way and you shall he honoured and that with true Honour even that honour that is of God In that John 5.44 our Saviour distinguisheth between that Honour that is of men and that Honour that is of God and that is the true Honour that is of God For as they say Honor est in honorante non in honorato in him that honoureth and then that is true and highest honour that is from the onely true God that high and onely One. Now this honour have all they that waiting on the Lord and keeping his Way do honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 Him that honoureth me I will honour and sayes our Saviour John 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall my servant be and what honour that is you may gather from that Col. 3.4 And it further follows If any man serve me him will my Father honour Thus it appears to be the most honourable way 5. Lastly This is the most comfortable way It must be granted 't is a way that is attended with sufferings tribulations and distresses 2 Tim. 3.12 and yet it is the most comfortable way as will appear In that 1. It is the ready way to have peace inward peace the best peace in the midst of all the trouble the world can bring upon you In that John 16.33 The Lord Jesus saith to his Disciples that in the world they should have tribulation but in him they should have peace And to wait on the Lord and keep his Way is the ready way to attain this Peace as appears from Isa 26.3 Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on