Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	aaron_n	ark_n	offer_v	17	3	6.8497	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A68795	The case and cure of a deserted soule, or, A treatise concerning the nature, kindes, degrees, symptomes, causes, cure of, and mistakes about spirituall desertions by Jos. Symonds ...	Symonds, Joseph.	1639 (1639)	STC 23590.5; ESTC S3132	246,703	610

committed though in their kinde lesse abominable then many many smaller sins may amount to as much as a great transgression yea often lesser evils provoke most f Quo levius mandatum co graevius peccatum as we say to our friend would you stick with me in so small a thing so God takes it ill when in things which are more in our power we transgresse for it proceeds from much neglect of him and it is more that he should be neglected by his children then that his encmies rebell 6. When the occasion is lesse When occasion small the sin is the greater Adams turning from God for the forbidden fruit so small a matter was very grievous the lesse a man is tempted the more voluntary is his sin and so more sinfull 7. When it is a leading sin as 1. When it is a leading sin when by a governour or minister whose example doth much especially if such a one sin in drawing others to sin this God will punish as in Aaron who was not only an occasion but a cause of the peoples Idolatry by the Idols which he made Exod. 32.4 So Mal. 2.7 8 9.2 When it is the first transgression and breach of a law so Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire were judged of God Levit. 10. So Vzzah for touching the Arke 1 Chron. 13.10 As in civill States the first breach of a law is often punished with exemplary punishment it is a dangerous thing in a common wealth to be the first man in a rebellion and to break the yce to others Thus you see how the Spirit may be resisted and grieved many wayes and for such causes as the outward man is often left unto great calamities so the inward man is afflicted with great miseries through Gods departing from it when the soule joynes it self to other lovers then comes a kinde of divorce and God saith of a man as he did of Ephraim Ephraim is joyned to Idols l●● him alone Hos 4.17 Let him god on in his way let his soule wither let his lusts prevaile upon him let nothing do him good 3. Men resist the Spirit Thirdly the Spirit is resisted by voluntary impenitency when they beare up themselves with fearelesnesse boldnesse shamelesnesse and impenitency in their way ospecially when they are strongly called and urged to repentance as the authority of a Prince is two wayes resisted 1. When men willingly transgresse 2. When they beare up themselves impudently and stubhornly in their transgression So God is not only opposed and affronted by disobedience but also by impenitence and indeed there is more provocation in a fault when not bewailed then in a fault when it is committed to a good disposition he that is penitent is in a sort innocent humble confession is a kinde of satis faction but stoutnesse and stiffeneckednesse encreaseth rage For impenitence is 1. A cōtinuatiō of the offence For it is 1. a cōtinuation of the offence he is stil in the offence his heart is with it and in interpretation of Justice he doth sin continually that repents not Repentance breakes off the foul from it but impenitence is a continuing it disobedience in committing sin is like the falling into mire impenitence is like the lying in it 2. 2. A justification of the offence Impenitence is a Iustification of the offende for he that repents not acknowledgeth no offence when a man apprehonds that he hath done evilly this breeds shame sorrow which ever arises as high as the sight of the sinfulnesse of sin so he that is not ashamed seeth not the evill that he hath done see it in the Jews No man repented him of his witkednesse saying what have I done Jer. 8.6 they being a stiffencoked people were far from judging and condemning themselves yea they excused themselves and pleaded their cause as if they had done nothing worthy of such ovils as the Prophets threatned yea they argue the matter with God hand to hand O ye Priests that despise my Name and ye say wherein have we despised thy Name Mal. 1.6 Yee offer polluted bread upon mine Altar and ye say wherein have we polluted thear v. 7. Yee have wearied the Lord with your words yet ye say Wherein have we wearied him Chap. 2.17 Return unto me saith the Lord of hoasts and I will return unto you but ye said Wherein shall we return Chap. 3.7 Ye have robbed me but ye say Wherein have we robbed thee v. 8. Your words have been stout against me saith the Lord yet ye say What have we spoken against thee v. 13. Thus an impenitent person justifieth himself and this provokes highly especially where the fault is 1 Great as it is here 2 Cleare as it is here 3. Impenitence is disloyalty yea Greater disloyalty then the act greater than an act of offence for a man may offend out of feare hope rashness ignorance c. but he that is wilfully impenitent hath a disloyall spirit towards his God 1. Here is little love Impenitents are disloyall having 1 Little love 2 Little feare for love would meltand draw the heart back to God 2. Little feare for this would make a man serious in consideration humble in confession and fervent in supplication that his sin may be pardoned and favour restored CHAP. XVIII Perswasive considerations to move men to study the preservation of communion with God NOw having treated of the causes of the sad losse of Gods quickning presence I come to consider of the cure and because as some are actually in this miserable state and all are potentially in it that is though they are not in this maner deserted yet they may be I will accordingly prescribe rules 1 Preservative for all 2 Restaurative for such as are in this state In the former I will propound something 1 For perswasion 2 For direction Labour to maintaine communion with God for That which I perswade is that men would labour to maintaine a constant communion with God consider 1. You may lose much You may lose much of God as I have declared the best may be in this case therefore be not secure g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. though thou saylest now with a full gale thou maist be becalmed thy mountain is not so strong but it may be shaken h Animi motus mores suum habent orbem raroque consistunt Cun. de republ Hebr. lib. 1. dangers should make men wise especially so great as this though the promise assures thee of life yet thou art not out of danger of sicknesse thou caryest a backsliding heart in thy bosome and there are seducing spirits many Legions which seek to cloud the day of thy spirituall prosperity therefore watch that you enter not into temptation Mat. 26.41 But work out your salvation with feare and trembling Phil. 2.12 2. You may lose that quickly which will hardly be recovered More then will easily be recovered a