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	child_n	lose_v	13	3	7.6090	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B08803	Several discourses concerning the actual Providence of God. Divided into three parts. The first, treating concerning the notion of it, establshing the doctrine of it, opening the principal acts of it, preservation and government of created beings. With the particular acts, by which it so preserveth and governeth them. The second, concerning the specialities of it, the unseachable things of it, and several observable things in its motions. The third, concerning the dysnoēta, or hard chapters of it, in which an attempt is made to solve several appearances of difficulty in the motions of Providence, and to vindicate the justice, wisdom, and holiness of God, with the reasonableness of his dealing in such motions. / By John Collinges ...	Collinges, John, 1623-1690.	1678 (1678)	Wing C5335; ESTC R233164	689,844	860

fruit_n of_o the_o womb_n as_o a_o blessing_n and_o bless_v he_o that_o have_v his_o quiver_n full_a of_o these_o shaft_n but_o now_o the_o poor_a man_n know_v not_o how_o to_o understand_v this_o and_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o he_o not_o to_o repine_v at_o the_o multiply_a of_o it_o a_o great_a error_n doubtless_o but_o such_o as_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v good_a people_n may_v fall_v into_o we_o can_v trust_v god_n to_o provide_v for_o those_o which_o he_o give_v we_o if_o this_o have_v be_v thy_o error_n god_n but_o pay_v thou_o in_o thy_o own_o kind_n by_o shorten_v thy_o number_n and_o make_v thy_o own_o secret_a sinful_a wish_n now_o to_o be_v thy_o plague_n and_o torment_n but_o this_o ordinary_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o mean_a sort_n of_o christian_n 2._o do_v thou_o not_o let_v thy_o heart_n run_v out_o too_o much_o upon_o thy_o child_n god_n be_v jealous_a and_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o jealousy_n not_o to_o suffer_v a_o rival_n in_o the_o object_n belove_v be_v it_o a_o person_n or_o a_o thing_n god_n be_v the_o object_n and_o he_o will_v be_v the_o prime_a object_n of_o his_o people_n love_n desire_v and_o delight_n it_o be_v his_o law_n thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o soul_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o strength_n it_o may_v be_v thy_o child_n have_v more_o of_o thy_o heart_n more_o of_o thy_o love_n and_o and_o delight_n than_o god_n have_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o have_v take_v it_o from_o thou_o this_o be_v now_o usual_o the_o sin_n of_o those_o who_o circumstance_n in_o the_o world_n be_v better_o they_o have_v a_o fair_a estate_n in_o the_o world_n and_o child_n few_o enough_o to_o leave_v it_o to_o and_o in_o such_o case_n it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o keep_v our_o heart_n within_o due_a bound_n but_o our_o affection_n be_v ready_a to_o overflow_v especial_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o temper_n or_o behaviour_n of_o the_o child_n that_o take_v off_o the_o edge_n of_o our_o affection_n to_o it_o 3._o do_v not_o thy_o heart_n smite_v thou_o for_o the_o neglect_n of_o thy_o duty_n to_o thy_o child_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o year_n thy_o duty_n in_o instruct_v it_o or_o thy_o duty_n in_o reprove_v and_o admonish_v it_o elie_n son_n be_v indeed_o man_n grow_v but_o god_n cut_v off_o his_o child_n though_o their_o personal_a guilt_n justify_v god_n in_o his_o severity_n against_o they_o yet_o eli_n smart_v in_o their_o punishment_n for_o honour_v his_o son_n more_o than_o god_n for_o deal_v too_o gentle_o with_o they_o for_o their_o most_o enormous_a wickedness_n thou_o may_v also_o neglect_v thy_o duty_n towards_o they_o in_o instruct_v they_o in_o make_v they_o acquaint_v with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o admonish_v they_o to_o keep_v the_o lord_n sabbath_n and_o see_v to_o their_o external_a sanctification_n of_o they_o this_o be_v undoubted_o a_o second_o piece_n of_o thy_o duty_n upon_o such_o a_o dispensation_n and_o to_o be_v humble_v before_o god_n for_o those_o sin_n which_o thy_o conscience_n smite_v thou_o for_o and_o sugge_v to_o thou_o as_o probable_a cause_n of_o this_o rod_n of_o god_n upon_o thou_o 3._o it_o be_v doubtless_o thy_o duty_n whatsoever_o thou_o find_v to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o god_n good_a pleasure_n rachel_n mourn_v sinful_o while_o she_o so_o mourn_v as_o that_o she_o refuse_v to_o be_v comfort_v if_o thou_o find_v that_o probable_o god_n have_v punish_v thy_o sin_n in_o the_o sickness_n pain_n and_o death_n of_o thy_o child_n it_o be_v indeed_o matter_n of_o humiliation_n to_o thou_o it_o offer_v thou_o a_o just_a opportunity_n to_o resolve_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v to_o amend_v thy_o error_n as_o to_o any_o survivor_n which_o god_n shall_v lend_v thou_o but_o yesterday_o can_v be_v call_v back_o again_o god_n have_v do_v what_o please_v he_o it_o may_v be_v in_o mercy_n to_o thy_o child_n though_o it_o be_v in_o judgement_n unto_o thou_o thou_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o quarrel_n or_o murmur_v at_o god_n for_o any_o of_o his_o dispensation_n if_o it_o be_v for_o thy_o child_n be_v original_a sin_n still_o thou_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o blame_v god_n he_o be_v just_a and_o righteous_a in_o what_o he_o have_v do_v but_o if_o god_n have_v do_v it_o to_o give_v thy_o child_n a_o quick_a passage_n to_o heaven_n to_o bring_v it_o soon_o to_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n to_o deliver_v it_o from_o a_o evil_a to_o come_v here_o thou_o have_v reason_n to_o admire_v and_o adore_v the_o divine_a goodness_n rather_o than_o to_o quarrel_v at_o divine_a justice_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n that_o may_v conduce_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o a_o godly_a man_n or_o woman_n disturb_v at_o this_o dispensation_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o be_v a_o very_a ordinary_a dispensation_n of_o god_n though_o therefore_o it_o may_v look_v like_o a_o digression_n from_o the_o principal_a argument_n of_o my_o discourse_n yet_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v not_o so_o judge_v by_o some_o of_o you_o who_o case_n it_o either_o at_o present_a be_v or_o may_v be_v to_o instance_n in_o some_o head_n of_o argument_n which_o occasional_o you_o may_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o quiet_v of_o your_o spirit_n 1._o consider_v whatever_o be_v the_o move_a cause_n on_o god_n part_n yet_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n to_o satisfy_v a_o christian_a with_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o nothing_o great_a we_o have_v our_o heaven_n by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n fear_v not_o little_a flock_n it_o be_v your_o father_n will_n to_o give_v you_o a_o kingdom_n we_o have_v all_o our_o grace_n all_o our_o glory_n from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o thankful_o accept_v a_o cross_n when_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o our_o father_n to_o lay_v it_o upon_o our_o neck_n we_o pray_v thy_o will_n be_v do_v and_o shall_v we_o murmur_v against_o it_o when_o we_o see_v it_o do_v this_o silence_a aaron_n david_n heli_n hezekiah_n it_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o a_o good_a christian_n reply_v to_o it_o it_o be_v our_o father_n will_n that_o be_v enough_o it_o be_v our_o father_n will_v reveal_v by_o a_o act_n of_o his_o providence_n the_o lord_n have_v give_v say_v job_n and_o the_o lord_n have_v take_v bless_a be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n 2._o consider_v how_o many_o sad_a case_n than_o thou_o there_o have_v be_v thou_o have_v lose_v a_o child_n a_o infant_n job_n lose_v all_o his_o child_n when_o they_o be_v grow_v up_o feast_v at_o their_o elder_a brother_n house_n aaron_n be_v a_o sad_a cause_n he_o lose_v his_o two_o son_n grow_v up_o in_o a_o act_n of_o sin_v yet_o he_o hold_v his_o peace_n helies_n case_n be_v sad_a to_o lose_v two_o such_o wicked_a son_n in_o a_o battle_n david_n case_n be_v sad_a god_n have_v express_o tell_v he_o the_o child_n shall_v die_v because_o of_o his_o sin_n and_o that_o by_o it_o he_o have_v make_v the_o enemy_n of_o god_n to_o blaspheme_v what_o do_v david_n do_v he_o fa_v he_o pray_v he_o humble_v himself_o before_o god_n so_o long_o as_o the_o child_n live_v and_o while_o he_o have_v any_o hope_n but_o when_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v when_o the_o child_n be_v dead_a he_o arise_v and_o eat_v bread_n as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v he_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v go_v to_o it_o it_o shall_v not_o return_v to_o he_o 3._o consider_v let_v the_o case_n be_v as_o sad_a as_o it_o will_v yet_o if_o thou_o look_v round_a about_o it_o there_o be_v mercy_n in_o it_o either_o mercy_n to_o thy_o child_n or_o mercy_n to_o thou_o or_o mercy_n to_o both_o if_o thy_o child_n be_v go_v to_o heaven_n there_o be_v mercy_n in_o that_o if_o it_o be_v deliver_v from_o evil_a to_o come_v upon_o the_o world_n or_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n where_o it_o shall_v have_v have_v its_o portion_n there_o be_v mercy_n in_o that_o david_n case_n be_v as_o sad_a as_o one_o can_v well_o think_v of_o any_o of_o this_o nature_n yet_o there_o be_v this_o mercy_n in_o it_o the_o live_a monument_n and_o remembrance_n of_o david_n sin_n and_o shame_n be_v take_v away_o 4._o suppose_v that_o god_n have_v for_o thy_o sin_n take_v it_o away_o and_o thou_o can_v not_o satisfy_v thyself_o but_o it_o be_v so_o yet_o consider_v god_n eternal_o punish_v none_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o their_o correlate_n god_n may_v punish_v person_n with_o bodily_a and_o temporal_a punishment_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o their_o parent_n but_o not_o eternal_o as_o to_o those_o punishment_n every_o soul_n shall_v bear_v no_o

to_o heaven_n ordinary_o with_o break_a bone_n and_o a_o bleed_a heart_n so_o that_o you_o see_v that_o god_n get_v himself_o glory_n from_o his_o people_n sin_n give_v no_o man_n a_o ground_n of_o presumption_n to_o go_v on_o in_o a_o course_n of_o sin_n against_o god_n use_v 4._o in_o the_o last_o place_n let_v this_o observation_n mind_v we_o in_o this_o case_n to_o be_v worker_n together_o with_o god_n have_v we_o sin_v and_o come_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n let_v we_o do_v our_o endeavour_n to_o make_v our_o sin_n to_o turn_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n let_v we_o endeavour_n to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o our_o own_o bad_a market_n what_o be_v do_v we_o can_v recall_n let_v we_o endeavour_v if_o possible_a to_o make_v a_o advantage_n of_o our_o former_a miscarriage_n you_o will_v say_v how_o shall_v that_o be_v answ_n 1._o let_v the_o sense_n of_o your_o sin_n hasten_v your_o pace_n to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n god_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o glory_n from_o our_o believe_v in_o he_o who_o he_o have_v send_v the_o soul_n that_o accept_v of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o his_o saviour_n give_v unto_o god_n the_o glory_n of_o his_o power_n wisdom_n justice_n goodness_n truth_n it_o give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o his_o freegrace_n 2._o make_v use_n of_o your_o sin_n to_o increase_v your_o confession_n your_o repentance_n and_o humiliation_n confession_n give_v glory_n to_o god_n my_o son_n say_v joshua_n confess_v and_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n let_v your_o former_a sin_n give_v you_o the_o further_a advantage_n for_o sorrow_v after_o a_o godly_a sort_n that_o will_v bring_v forth_o carefulness_n indignation_n fear_n vehement_a desire_n zeal_n revenge_n as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 2_o cor._n 7.11_o 3._o let_v the_o remembrance_n of_o they_o cause_n you_o to_o walk_v soft_o all_o the_o day_n of_o your_o life_n this_o be_v that_o which_o god_n require_v of_o all_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o their_o god_n the_o remembrance_n of_o your_o sin_n may_v be_v of_o notable_a use_n to_o you_o for_o this_o to_o keep_v down_o that_o pride_n which_o be_v natural_o in_o all_o our_o heart_n that_o swell_v in_o a_o opinion_n of_o ourselves_o of_o our_o own_o duty_n and_o performance_n that_o uncharitable_a judge_n and_o censure_v and_o triumph_v over_o other_o when_o we_o see_v they_o fall_v in_o the_o day_n of_o temptation_n 4._o last_o let_v the_o consideration_n of_o how_o many_o sin_n god_n have_v forgive_v you_o make_v you_o love_v much_o thus_o the_o woman_n luk._n 7.37_o 47_o make_v a_o improvement_n even_o of_o her_o former_a sin_n her_o much_o that_o be_v forgive_v engage_v she_o to_o love_v that_o god_n much_o who_o have_v forgive_v she_o so_o much_o this_o improvement_n st._n paul_n make_v 1_o cor._n 15.9_o 10._o i_o be_o say_v he_o the_o least_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o not_o meet_v to_o be_v call_v a_o apostle_n because_o i_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n i_o be_o that_o i_o be_o and_o his_o grace_n which_o be_v bestow_v on_o i_o be_v not_o in_o vain_a but_o i_o labour_v more_o abundant_o than_o they_o all_o o_o this_o will_v be_v a_o excellent_a improvement_n even_o of_o your_o sin_n if_o your_o former_a unholiness_n shall_v now_o help_v to_o make_v you_o more_o holy_a your_o former_a unrighteousness_n shall_v help_v to_o make_v you_o more_o righteous_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v your_o reflection_n upon_o how_o much_o you_o have_v do_v against_o god_n and_o his_o saint_n shall_v now_o engage_v you_o to_o do_v more_o for_o god_n and_o the_o cause_n and_o people_n of_o god_n a_o good_a husband_n and_o housewife_n will_v lose_v nothing_o but_o make_v some_o advantage_n of_o every_o rag_n every_o bit_n of_o wood_n etc._n etc._n i_o will_v have_v you_o be_v like_o they_o you_o have_v be_v former_o great_a sinner_n and_o do_v much_o to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n your_o conscience_n can_v show_v you_o a_o great_a dunghill_n of_o sin_n which_o you_o make_v in_o your_o state_n of_o vanity_n god_n have_v change_v your_o state_n change_v your_o heart_n let_v not_o that_o dunghill_n be_v lose_v look_v upon_o it_o often_o to_o help_v to_o raise_v up_o your_o heart_n in_o the_o praise_n and_o admiration_n of_o god_n freegrace_n and_o the_o engage_v your_o heart_n more_o for_o god_n in_o your_o contrary_a duty_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v but_o so_o ●uch_o shall_v serve_v for_o this_o observation_n also_o sermon_n xxvi_o psalm_n cvii_o 43._o whoso_o be_v wise_a and_o will_v observe_v these_o thing_n even_o they_o shall_v understand_v the_o lovingkindness_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o be_o still_o go_v on_o instruct_v you_o to_o that_o spiritual_a wisdom_n which_o the_o text_n tell_v you_o may_v be_v gain_v by_o and_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o actual_a providence_n i_o be_o now_o proceed_v to_o a_o twelve_o observation_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o thus_o observe_v 12._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o distribution_n of_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n do_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n move_v circular_o though_o most_o to_o the_o seem_a advantage_n of_o ungodly_a man_n in_o my_o enlargment_n upon_o this_o notion_n i_o shall_v keep_v much_o to_o the_o same_o method_n which_o i_o observe_v in_o the_o former_a 1._o open_v it_o unto_o you_o 2._o justify_v the_o observation_n by_o instance_n 3._o show_v you_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o motion_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o last_o make_v some_o suitable_a application_n 1._o my_o observation_n as_o you_o see_v concern_v the_o motion_n of_o actual_a providence_n as_o to_o its_o distribution_n of_o the_o portion_n of_o this_o life_n the_o pagan_a philosopher_n distribute_v all_o the_o good_a thing_n they_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o into_o three_o sort_n the_o good_a thing_n of_o the_o body_n among_o which_o they_o reckon_v long-life_n health_n strength_n beauty_n etc._n etc._n the_o good_a thing_n of_o the_o mind_n the_o rich_a endowment_n of_o it_o such_o as_o knowledge_n invention_n judgement_n wit_n memory_n and_o moral_a virtue_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o fortune_n such_o as_o birth_n ingenuous_a education_n honour_n riches_n all_o these_o have_v a_o goodness_n in_o they_o which_o lie_v in_o their_o suitableness_n to_o the_o use_n of_o humane_a life_n or_o society_n the_o blind_a heathen_a not_o see_v the_o fountainhead_n of_o these_o beautiful_a stream_n ascribe_v they_o to_o fortune_n but_o they_o be_v all_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o providence_n that_o give_v to_o one_o a_o long_o to_o another_o a_o short_a life_n to_o one_o great_a to_o another_o lesser_a measure_n of_o health_n and_o strength_n etc._n etc._n to_o one_o more_o judgement_n wit_n etc._n etc._n than_o to_o another_o but_o i_o chief_o understand_v my_o observation_n of_o the_o good_a thing_n which_o the_o heathen_a call_v bona_fw-la fortunae_fw-la the_o good_a thing_n of_o fortune_n such_o as_o honour_n riches_n etc._n etc._n these_o also_o be_v the_o lord_n he_o it_o be_v say_v moses_n that_o give_v we_o power_n to_o get_v wealth_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o another_o penman_n tell_v we_o that_o promotion_n come_v neither_o from_o the_o east_n nor_o from_o the_o west_n but_o god_n pull_v down_o one_o and_o set_v up_o another_o promotion_n do_v most_o depend_v upon_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o you_o shall_v observe_v the_o scripture_n everywhere_o make_v god_n the_o author_n of_o the_o favour_n and_o grace_n which_o person_n have_v find_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o now_o i_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o wheel_n of_o providence_n in_o make_v this_o distribution_n do_v for_o the_o most_o part_n move_v circular_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o good_a and_o evil_n of_o this_o nature_n have_v as_o all_o humane_a thing_n its_o turn_n and_o vicissitude_n sometime_o to_o good_a man_n sometime_o to_o bad_a man_n the_o heathen_a have_v some_o prospect_n of_o this_o though_o what_o we_o call_v providence_n they_o ascribe_v to_o fortune_n to_o who_o they_o give_v a_o wheel_n to_o signify_v the_o rotation_n of_o all_o these_o sublunary_a contentment_n in_o which_o you_o know_v the_o same_o spoke_n be_v not_o always_o up_o nor_o down_o but_o sometime_o these_o spoke_n be_v uppermost_a by_o and_o by_o they_o be_v at_o the_o ground_n and_o those_o that_o but_o now_o be_v below_o be_v up_o in_o their_o place_n and_o this_o be_v most_o perspicuous_a in_o body_n of_o people_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o those_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o divide_v the_o world_n godly_a

power_n so_o as_o if_o he_o will_v he_o may_v do_v it_o no_o man_n will_v deny_v but_o a_o man_n have_v a_o power_n to_o deal_v just_o to_o give_v alm_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o many_o other_o thing_n so_o as_o he_o be_v but_o a_o hypocrite_n that_o pretend_v want_v of_o strength_n to_o many_o external_a action_n which_o god_n have_v command_v he_o which_o be_v but_o act_n of_o moral_a discipline_n hence_o it_o be_v no_o great_a wonder_n to_o hear_v the_o patron_n of_o freewill_n urge_v this_o as_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n but_o alas_o though_o this_o be_v his_o duty_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o the_o least_o part_n of_o his_o duty_n our_o great_a duty_n to_o god_n lie_v as_o in_o external_a act_n of_o piety_n so_o in_o the_o internal_a government_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o our_o heart_n affection_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n it_o lie_v in_o external_a action_n such_o as_o pray_v hear_v the_o word_n etc._n etc._n but_o chief_o in_o the_o government_n of_o our_o inward_a man_n that_o we_o may_v perform_v all_o our_o action_n whether_o respect_v god_n or_o man_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o he_o have_v require_v now_o that_o which_o we_o call_v strengthen_v grace_n be_v that_o influence_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o the_o soul_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n be_v enable_v to_o perform_v whatsoever_o god_n require_v of_o it_o both_o in_o do_v and_o suffer_v in_o such_o a_o acceptable_a manner_n as_o god_n require_v at_o our_o hand_n duty_n may_v be_v divide_v 1._o into_o such_o act_n which_o be_v in_o our_o own_o power_n as_o to_o the_o external_a act_n to_o perform_v without_o any_o spiritual_a gift_n or_o more_o special_a influence_n of_o grace_n thus_o a_o man_n may_v read_v the_o word_n he_o may_v hear_v sermon_n he_o may_v do_v act_n of_o justice_n and_o charity_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o common_a providence_n of_o god_n keep_v up_o in_o man_n his_o natural_a faculty_n for_o this_o now_o there_o need_v none_o of_o that_o special_a strengthen_v grace_n about_o which_o i_o be_o discourse_v second_o 2._o such_o as_o a_o man_n may_v perform_v by_o virtue_n of_o common_a gift_n and_o influence_n such_o as_o knowledge_n utterance_n etc._n etc._n which_o although_o god_n do_v not_o give_v unto_o all_o yet_o he_o do_v give_v unto_o many_o who_o never_o taste_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o distinguish_a grace_n thus_o man_n may_v pray_v prithee_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a some_o have_v more_o ability_n unto_o these_o act_n than_o other_o and_o some_o christian_n at_o some_o time_n may_v find_v more_o strength_n and_o ability_n than_o at_o other_o time_n but_o this_o depend_v not_o upon_o any_o influence_n of_o special_a strengthen_v grace_n but_o upon_o the_o different_a temper_n and_o complexion_n of_o person_n upon_o their_o different_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o gift_n and_o part_n and_o their_o strength_n as_o to_o these_o act_n rise_v and_o fall_v as_o their_o gift_n and_o part_n increase_v hold_v or_o decay_v 3._o but_o three_o there_o be_v duty_n that_o be_v more_o internal_a such_o as_o meditate_v of_o god_n delight_v believe_v in_o he_o breathe_v after_o he_o fervency_n of_o spirit_n in_o his_o service_n the_o right_a manner_n of_o perform_v all_o external_a act_n now_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o there_o need_v a_o special_a influence_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n beside_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o any_o man_n can_v have_v from_o natural_a part_n or_o gift_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o every_o christian_a justifi_v that_o god_n use_v a_o great_a variety_n in_o his_o dispensing_n of_o it_o some_o christian_n find_v much_o more_o than_o other_o do_v other_o find_v much_o more_o at_o one_o time_n than_o at_o a_o other_o both_o for_o the_o perform_v the_o act_n of_o mortification_n and_o of_o vivification_n the_o practice_n of_o die_v to_o sin_n and_o live_v to_o righteousness_n and_o also_o for_o the_o bear_v any_o burden_n which_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n lay_v upon_o he_o and_o go_v through_o any_o suffering_n which_o god_n have_v lay_v out_o for_o he_o and_o these_o gradual_a withdrawing_n of_o these_o divine_a assistance_n be_v what_o we_o call_v divine_a desertion_n as_o to_o these_o manifestation_n of_o grace_n now_o my_o next_o business_n must_v be_v to_o show_v you_o the_o wisdom_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o inequality_n of_o these_o dispensation_n which_o sometime_o prove_v matter_n of_o great_a trouble_n to_o god_n people_n 1._o for_o the_o difference_n of_o strength_n and_o ability_n to_o the_o more_o external_a act_n of_o our_o homage_n to_o god_n it_o be_v not_o so_o proper_o within_o my_o subject_n to_o be_v discourse_v i_o shall_v therefore_o speak_v but_o short_o to_o it_o something_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o speak_v because_o i_o fear_v too_o many_o christian_n mistake_v this_o for_o strengthen_v grace_n this_o difference_n arise_v 1._o from_o a_o difference_n or_o decay_v in_o knowledge_n and_o other_o part_n and_o common_a gift_n knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o practice_n and_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o christian_n weak_a in_o knowledge_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o express_v themselves_o so_o free_o in_o prayer_n or_o in_o spiritual_a conference_n or_o any_o other_o exercise_n which_o depend_v upon_o knowledge_n as_o the_o more_o know_v christian_n can_v 2._o second_o as_o difference_n as_o to_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v one_o cause_n so_o different_a frequency_n in_o practice_n be_v a_o other_o a_o man_n in_o practical_a thing_n be_v perfect_v by_o practice_n as_o he_o that_o never_o almost_o write_v will_v forget_v his_o hand_n and_o he_o that_o use_v not_o himself_o to_o read_v or_o speak_v latin_a or_o any_o other_o language_n will_v in_o a_o short_a time_n lose_v the_o very_a ability_n he_o once_o have_v to_o do_v it_o so_o it_o be_v but_o a_o reasonable_a thing_n for_o we_o to_o imagine_v that_o he_o who_o seldom_o or_o never_o pray_v shall_v lose_v his_o gift_n and_o ability_n to_o pray_v and_o he_o who_o seldom_o or_o never_o preach_v shall_v lose_v his_o gift_n and_o ability_n to_o preach_v we_o find_v by_o experience_n and_o may_v find_v it_o whenever_o we_o try_v it_o that_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o excellent_a ability_n to_o pray_v neglect_v that_o gift_n in_o a_o short_a time_n will_v lose_v his_o gift_n and_o not_o be_v able_a to_o continue_v ten_o line_n of_o sense_n without_o a_o book_n to_o this_o may_v be_v add_v that_o these_o performance_n do_v also_o depend_v upon_o other_o natural_a and_o common_a gift_n which_o if_o they_o fail_v through_o age_n or_o other_o infirmity_n it_o can_v without_o a_o miracle_n be_v expect_v but_o that_o this_o strength_n and_o ability_n shall_v abate_v also_o i_o know_v also_o that_o god_n may_v blast_v these_o gift_n and_o oft_o do_v for_o man_n sin_n their_o neglect_n of_o the_o use_n of_o they_o their_z not_o glorify_v of_o god_n with_o they_o but_o god_n usual_a way_n of_o do_v this_o be_v either_o by_o permit_v the_o decay_n of_o these_o gift_n upon_o which_o these_o exercise_n depend_v or_o leave_v the_o hypocrite_n to_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o senslesness_n and_o sottishness_n in_o life_n as_o quite_o take_v he_o off_o from_o any_o regard_n of_o these_o piece_n of_o homage_n unto_o god_n but_o thus_o much_o shall_v serve_v to_o have_v speak_v to_o these_o variety_n and_o decay_n of_o strength_n in_o the_o inward_a man_n 2._o for_o the_o other_o which_o be_v the_o influx_n of_o divine_a and_o special_a grace_n it_o be_v certain_o reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v not_o dispense_v equal_a measure_n to_o all_o if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o all_o be_v not_o of_o a_o alike_o grow_v and_o stand_v in_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o ordinary_a in_o scripture_n than_o to_o compare_v the_o church_n to_o a_o fold_n of_o sheep_n to_o a_o family_n etc._n etc._n now_o there_o be_v no_o fold_n where_o all_o be_v be_v grow_v sheep_n alike_o scarce_o any_o family_n where_o be_v not_o some_o infant_n or_o young_a child_n christ_n must_v carry_v the_o lamb_n in_o his_o arm_n while_o he_o feed_v his_o flock_n like_o a_o shepherd_n the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o christian_n distinguish_v betwixt_o babe_n and_o grow_v person_n betwixt_o those_o that_o be_v perfect_a and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o perfect_a such_o as_o be_v spiritual_a and_o such_o as_o be_v carnal_a such_o as_o be_v fit_a for_o strong_a meat_n and_o such_o as_o have_v need_n of_o milk_n now_o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o this_o influx_n of_o grace_n be_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n ordinary_o work_v secundum_fw-la quod_fw-la nactus_fw-la